MacKENZIE, FS Alexander Gerald (R78574) - Distinguished Flying Medal -
Squadron No.50 Squadron -later No.419 Squadron Award effective 11 November 1942 as per London Gazette dated 27 November 1942 and AFRO 1962/42 dated 4 December 1942.? Born in Lucknow, Ontario; home there; enlisted London, 16 October 1942. Trained at No.2 ITS (graduated 2 January 1941) No.4 AOS (graduated 7 July 1941), No.4 BGS (graduated 18 August 1941) and No.2 ANS.? Medal presented at Buckingham Palace, 30 March 1943.? Shot down and taken prisoner, 31 August 1943; POW for 20 months; returned to United Kingdom, 16 May 1945; released in Toronto, 27 August 1945 (WO1).
Flight Sergeant MacKenzie has participated in many attacks on the enemy as air bomber.? He has always
shown great determination to press home his attack and hit the primary target.? On many occasions
excellent photographs have been obtained, which reflect great credit to him.? He took part in the
daylight raids on Le Creusot and Milan, and also in the night raid on Genoa.? On the 22nd October,
1942, in the raid on Milan, the aircraft flew at a very low altitude and Flight Sergeant MacKenzie
released his bombs with unerring skill in the middle of a large factory, which was left in flames.?
He has set a high standard in bomb aiming and has always displayed great devotion to duty.
MANN, Sergeant William Frank (R197168) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.419 Squadron -
Award effective 3 October 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2637/44 dated 8 December 1944.
Born 1922 in Brantford,
Ontario; home there; enlisted London, Ontario, 21 October 1942. Trained at No.9 BGS
(graduated 20 August 1943). Medal presented 30 May 1947.Cited with Sergeant Paul Burton .
As rear and mid-upper gunners respectively these airman have participated in very many sorties and have displayed notable determination and devotion to duty throughout. On several occasions they have driven off enemy aircraft and, in so doing, have displayed great coolness and co-operation. One night in June 1944, when returning from an operation against Acheres, they shot down a Junkers 88.
MARTIN, Sergeant (now P/O) Leonard Frank (R80349/C42277) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.419 Squadron - Award effective 27 June 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1861/44 dated 25 August 1944. Born 1922 in Winnipeg; home there; enlisted there 22 November 1940. No published citation other than "In air operations this airman has displayed courage and fortitude of a high order." Ian Tavender records, in The Distinguished Flying Medal Register for the Second World War (London, Savanah Publications, 2000) the following recommendation dated 26 May 1944 as found in Public Record Office Air 2/9157.
Sergeant Martin took part in 23 attacks on the enemy prior to being reported missing on the night of the 16th September 1943. His aircraft was shot down by a night fighter on that night and Sergeant Martin landed by parachute in Northern France. He proceeded to walk home as detailed in M.I.9/S/P.G.(-)1704, arriving at Whitchurch on 17th January 1944. I consider that this Non-Commissioned Officer's gallantry while operating with this squadron and the persistence and ingenuity shown by him while making his escape fully merits the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.
MELLIN, Sergeant Arthur Alured (R110157) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.419 Squadron - Award effective 21 April 1943 as per London Gazette dated 23 April 1943 and AFRO 985/43 dated 28 May 1943. Born 1917 in Duncan, British Columbia. Former bank employee; enlisted in Vancouver, 24 June 1941. Trained at No.2 ITS (graduated 1 October 1941), No.15 EFTS, No.3 AOS (graduated 16 March 1942), No.2 BGS (graduated 25 April 1942), and No.1 CNS (graduated 25 May 1942). Further trained in North Wales. Incident described took place on 27 February 1943. Hospitalized in England until August when he went home to Canada, treatment continuing at Rockcliffe and Shaunnessy Hospital, Vancouver. Returned to duty, February 1944 as Navigation Officer, Western Air Command, but when grounded for medical reasons he remustered to Flying Control, serving at Rockcliffe and Abbottsford. See Field of Honour (Bank of Montreal, c.1950). Medal presented 27 June 1947. Died in Nanaimo, 16 May 1998.
One night in February 1943, this airman was the navigator of an aircraft detailed for a mine-laying mission off the Frisian Islands. In the course of the operation an enemy fighter engaged the aircraft raking its fuselage with machine-gun fire. The flight engineer and the rear gunner were killed while Sergeant Mellin was hit in the leg by a bullet which caused a compound fracture to the fibia and tibea bones. Despite the severity of his injuries, this airman assumed the duties of the flight engineer, while other members of the crew were quelling flames which had broken out in the bomber. He afterwards returned to his navigational duties, proving of great assistance to his pilot who flew the damaged aircraft to an airfield in this country. Although he had lost much blood and was in intense pain, it was only when the aircraft was about to be landed that Sergeant Mellin would consent to leave his post. His exemplary conduct and great fortitude were worthy of the highest praise.
McKINNON, FS (now P/O) Bernard Lloyd (R161211/J93040) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.419 Squadron
- Award effective 6 April 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 765/45 dated 4 May 1945. Born 1917 in
St.Catharines, Ontario; home there (inspector); enlisted in Hamilton, 10 April 1942. Trained at No.5 ITS
(graduated 7 November 1942), No.10 EFTS (graduated 22 January 1943), No.16 SFTS (ceased training) and
No.4 BGS (graduated 3 September 1943). Commissioned 1944. DFM presented 31 May 1947.
Flight Sergeant McKinnon has participated in many sorties against some of the most heavily defended targets
in Germany. In December 1944 he was the air bomber in an aircraft detailed to attack Ludwigshafen. Shortly
after the bombs had been released the aircraft was hit by bullets from a fighter. At the time Flight
Sergeant McKinnon was moving to a position from which he could continue his duties by assisting the navigator;
he was struck in the foot which was badly injured. Although in considerable pain, Flight Sergeant McKinnon
insisted on remaining at his post until assured that he could be of no further assistance. His example of
courage and fortitude won great praise.
PEARCE, Sergeant Colin Rees (NZ 414671) - Distinguished Flying Medal- No.428 Squadron, KIA with
419 squadron
awarded as per London Gazette dated 13 July 1943. Born 22 January, 1921 at Kaiapoi, near Canterbury, New Zealand.
Educated at Christchurch Boys High School (swimmer). Farmer with his father; home Irwell, New Zealand. Applied
for RNZAF aircrew, 8 July 1940. Enrolled at Initial Training Wing, Levin, 17 August 1941. On completion of initial training he went to No.3 Elementary Flying Training School, Harewood. On conclusion of course he embarked for Canada (17 November 1941). Proceeded on 5 December 1941 to No.4 Service Flying Training School (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Course 44); received pilot's flying badge, 27 March 1942 and promoted to Sergeant; promoted to Flight Sergeant, 1 May 1943, but then commissioned with effect from 13 April 1943. As of 28 March 1942 he had gone to "Y" Depot, Halifax. Arrived at No.3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, 13 May 1942; posted on 23 June 1942 to No.15 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Kirmington, Lincolnshire. Fir a few days in July was attached to No.1512 Beam Approach Training Flight, Dishforth, Yorkshire (course in blind flying). On 4 August 1942 he was posted to No.11 Operational Training Unit, Bassingboure, Hertfordshire. There and at the satellite airfield (Oakley, Buckinghamshire) he completed training on Wellingtons. Posted from there to No.428 Squadron , initially operating as a second pilot. RNZAF Museum notes he flew nine sorties on Wellingtons to targets such as Lorient (four trips), Cologne, St.Nazaire and Hamburg. Attached in March 1943 to No.1535 Beam Approach Training Flight, Middleton St.George, County Durham for additional blind flying course. He then returned to No.428 Squadron (Dalton). RNZAF Museum reports eight additional sorties for a total of 17 (but see below) including targets at Bochum (two), Kiel, Dortmund, St.Nazaire and two air/sea rescue flights. Late in May posted to No.1659 Conversion Unit, Topcliffe for conversion to Halifax aircraft. Attached in early June 1943 to No.419 Squadron, Middleton St.George, taking part in two more operational flights (Le Creusot and Fuefeld). Failed to return from a raid on 21/22 June 1943; buried at Prince Hagen Military
Cemetery, Breda, Holland; later reinterred at Bergen op Zoom British Military Cemetery. Air Ministry Bulletin
not stated.
Under a calm, quiet manner this airman has a fine fighting spirit which inspires confidence i
n his fellow pilots. He has successfully completed a number of operational sorties, included
in which are several to some of the enemy's most heavily defended targets in Germany and
northwest France. Sergeant Pearce has secured some excellent photographs. This airman has
shown by his work that he has the courage and determination to press home his attacks
with the utmost vigour, setting a fine example to all.
DHist file 181.009 D.2995 (RG.24 Vol.20634) has recommendation dated 25 May 1943 when he had flown fourteen sorties
(90 hours five minutes), 29 January to 13 May 1943.
Under a calm and quiet manner this Non-Commissioned Officer has a fine offensive spirit in action which
inspires confidence in his fellow pilots and in his own crew. He has successfully completed fourteen sorties,
included in which are several to extremely heavily defended targets in the Ruhr Valley. From these and from
other targets in Germany and northwest France, Sergeant Pearce has brought back repeatedly photographic
evidence of having bombed the precise target, obtaining, in some cases, clear ground detail showing
the aiming point. This has borne out his determination always to press home his attack despite
intense flak opposition.
PHILLIS, FS (now P/O) Jack Albert (R161467/J87606) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.419 Squadron - Award effective 26 September 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2637/44 dated 8 December 1944. Born 1921 in Toronto; home in Florenceville, New Brunswick (type setter); enlisted Hamilton, 15 May 1942. Trained at No.2 ITS (graduated 23 October 1942), No.7 EFTS (graduated 22 January 1943) and No.16 SFTS (graduated 25 June 1943). Medal sent by registered mail 10 December 1945.
One night in July 1944, this airman piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Villeneuve-St.Georges. When crossing the enemy coast the bomber was involved in a fight with an enemy aircraft. One engine was put out of action, a fuel tank was pierced and the fuselage was damaged. Despite this, Flight Sergeant Phillis went on to the target which he attacked after evading two more fighters which tried to close in. His determination and devotion to duty were typical of that which he has shown throughout his tour.
POTTER, FS (now P/O) Marwood Armstrong (R188018/J96645) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.419 Squadron - Award effective 9 October 1945 as per London Gazette dated 19 October 1945 and AFRO 1822/45 dated 7 December 1945. Born July 1921 in Warkworth, Ontario; home there (wire insulator); enlisted Toronto, 17 August 1942. Trained at No.9 BGS (graduated 19 February 1943). Commissioned May 1945. Award sent by registered mail. Events described occurred 20/21 January 1944 during raid on Berlin when he became a POW.
This officer has taken part in many operational sorties, throughout which he has displayed outstanding determination and courage. In August 1943 he destroyed one Focke Wulf 190. In January 1944, Flight Sergeant Potter was rear gunner in an aircraft detailed for an attack against Berlin. When over sixty miles from the target his aircraft was attacked by an enemy night fighter and the rear turret was damaged. Despite this, Flight Sergeant Potter returned fire. A cannon shell then burst inside the turret, putting some of the guns out of action and wounding Flight Sergeant Potter. Although dazed and bleeding, he continued to engage the enemy, manipulating the turret by hand and putting up such accurate fire that the hostile fighter went down in flames. On the return flight, Flight Sergeant Potter took over the duties of the flight engineer, who had been killed, giving his captain every assistance but, while still over enemy territory, the crippled aircraft was again hit by anti-aircraft fire and the crew were forced to abandon it.
RAINVILLE, FS (now P/O) Guy Henri (R55373/J15751) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.419 Squadron - Award effective 16 June 1942 as per London Gazette dated 22 September 1942 and AFRO 1653/42 dated 16 October 1942. Born in Montreal, 1913; home in Quebec (agriculture student); enlisted there 29 June 1940. Trained at No.1 ITS, No.2 WS, and No.2 BGS. Later served in No.425 Squadron. Invested with award by King George, 18 May 1943. Shot down and taken prisoner, 14 November 1944 while with No.432 Squadron.
This airman is employed as an air gunner. He has at all times displayed exemplary qualities and his work had been completed in an assuming yet forceful manner. By his skill and teamwork he has played a good part in the success of the crews with whom he has flown. He has participated in attacks on dockyard installations and industrial targets both in Germany and German occupied territory. His courage and tenacity have been noteworthy.
Flight Sergeant Rainville has completed 38 sorties against the enemy, 31 of which were with this squadron. His determination in the execution of his duties account in a large part for this number of sorties. He displayed at all times most exemplary qualities and his work was carried out in an unassuming yet forceful manner. His cool and cooperative execution of his duties while on operations has played a great part in the successes of the crews with which he has flown.
His ability, courage, tenacity and coolness qualify him for official recognition.
RITCHIE, Sergeant Gordon John McDowell (R211243) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.419 Squadron - Award effective 13 July 1944 as per London Gazette dated 21 July and AFRO 2160/44 dated 6 October 1944. Originally published as a DFC citation in AFRO 2052/44, cancelled by AFRO 2101/44 and then corrected. Born 1924 in Montreal; home there (stock keeper); enlisted there 16 December 1942. Trained at No.9 BGS (graduated 6 August 1943). Invested with award by the King, 11 August 1944. Cited with Sergeant Gilbert E.J. Steere (RAF, awarded CGM) and Sergeant John Mangione (RCAF, awarded DFM, which see above for citation).
This officer has completed a large number of operational missions. His work has always been of a very high standard and his reliability has been a source of confidence to the other members of his crew. On his first sortie to Wesseling, Pilot Officer Ritchie pressed home his attack and bombed the target despite the attacks of a Junkers 88 and heavy anti-aircraft fire.
ROBSON, FS Cecil Arnold (R65063) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.419 Squadron - Award effective 29 July 1942 as per London Gazette dated 4 August 1942 and AFRO 1412/42 dated 4 September 1942. Born Colchester, Truro Country, Nova Scotia, 1919; home there (hosier mill knitter). Trained at No.1 ITS, No.1 WS, and No.1 BGS. Commissioned 1942.
As wireless operator, Flight Sergeant Robson has participated in many important attacks on docks and industrial targets in enemy and enemy occupied territory. His competence, courage and devotion to duty set a high standard for others