Bennett's Staff

[Kyt]

Charles Peter Craufurd de Wesselow DFC 114160

P/O 13th Dec. 1941
F/O 1st Oct. 1942
F/L 13th Dec. 1943

Distinguished Flying Cross 3 December 1943
Acting Flight Lieutenant Charles Peter Craufurd De WESSELOW (114160), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 97 Squadron

Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross 6th June, 1944
Acting Squadron Leader Charles Peter Craufurd de WESSELOW, D.F.C. (114160), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 97 Squadron.
Throughout his operational career Sqn. Ldr, de Wesselow has set an outstanding example, both as pilot and captain of aircraft. Each of his sorties has been a model of thoroughness, sttill and determination. Since the award of the D.F.C., his coolness in the face of heavy odds and his courage in times of stress have been further displayed in a number of operational sorties

Distinguished Service Order. 24 April 1945
Acting Squadron Leader Charles Peter Crauford de WESSELOW, D.F.C. (114160), R.A.F.V.R., 635 Sqn
This officer has set a fine example of courage and devotion to duty. He has completed a very large number, of sorties, involving attacks on targets important to the enemy's war effort. Undeterred by the heaviest opposition, Squadron Leader de Wesselow has invariably pressed home his attacks. His successes 'are a fine tribute to his" great skill and iron determination.

[Kyt]

Joseph Roy George Ralston 47650

BBC - WW2 People's War - Winged Chariots - Part 1: An Outstanding Leader

This story was submitted to the People’s War site by Enza Stellato on behalf of Norman Edwards and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site’s terms and conditions.

Manchester Branch President Wing Commander Joseph Roy George Ralston DSO and Bar, AFC, DFM, died on 8 October 1996 at the age of 81 as this story was being written. Despite poor health and difficulty in walking he attended as many meetings as possible. He joined The RAF in 1930 at the age of 15 as a technical tradesman, became a Sergeant pilot in 1937 and went on to become one of Bomber Command's most outstanding leaders. When invalided out of the RAF in the post-war years he established his won sign and nameplate manufacturing business in Manchester.

One of Wing Commander Roy Ralston's most famous exploits came when, as the pilot of Mosquito, he trapped a German Train inside a French tunnel by bombing the tunnel at both ends!

This received a lot of publicity at the time and further publicity in 1995 when aviation artist Steve Ridgway used scraper-board techniques to picture the scene, presenting a copy of The Wingco at a Branch meeting. His work depicts Roy's Mosquito at low-level unleashing two 500lb bombs at the tunnel and incorporates a portrait of the Wing Commander who, after seeing the rain going into the tunnel, sealed it at one end and then knowing the train would stop inside, nipped round to the other end and sealed that as well.

Bomber Baron
The book 'Bomber Barons' by Chaz Bowyer devotes a complete chapter to Roy Ralston, describing how he joined 108 Squadron in May 1938, flying Howker Hinds and, later, Bristol Blenheims. He became an instructor on Blenheims and then, on August 18 1940, joined 107, Squadron, a Blenhaim 1V bomber unit. He was on operations five days later. During this time he was awarded the DFM.
Roy and his navigator, Sergeant Syd Clayton, were to be together for a total period of three years, completing 78 sorties as a 'team' - ultra low-level aattacks against well-defended enemy targets and shipping. Hving risen to Flight Sergeant and then Warrant Officer, Roy was commissioned in December 1941 and became an instructor at 17 OTU. In May 1942 he joined 105 Swuadron, the first to be equipped with de Havilland Mosquitos, where he was re-joined by navigator Syd Clayton.

The Squadron, together with 139 Squadron - also flying Mosquitos - specialisedin low-level precision raids. Roy, a Flight Lieutenant, was awarded the DSO for 'outstanding leadershop and detemination' and, afterwards, promoted to Squadron leader, commanding 105's B Flight.

It was 9 December 1942 that the Ralston - Clayton partnership hit the headlines with their 'rail intruder' sortie, sealing the German train in a Paris-Soissons railway tunnel.

On 1 April 1943 came the last sortie by the Ralston - Clayton duo writes Bowyer. It was to be Syd Clayton's 100th operation as a navigator and Roy's 83rd sortie.
'Again, Ralston was the formation leader...tbe objective, a rail complex,' writes Bowyer.

'The Mosquitos, despite appalling eather, hit their targets with great success. On their return, Clayton received an immediate DSO to add to his DFC and DFM and then went on to pilot training, while Roy received a bar to his DSO. Soon afterwards, Roy was promoted to Wing Commander and appointed OC 1655 Mosquito Training Unit at Marham, which later mmoved to Warboys as part of No 8 (Pathfinder) Group.

'In August 1944 he became Training Inspector for the elite PFF, then in March 1945 was appointed Commander of 139, a crack Mosquito Pathfinder Squadron. He flew more sorties, bringing his opreational tally up to 91 before Germany surrendered in May 1945.'

Branch memebers turned out in strength to Roy's funeral on 15 October, which was also attended by ACA Chairman Air Commodore Jack Broughton. Branch Chairman Jack Meredith said, 'Roy was a good man in peace and war.'

A tribute was also paid in a Daily Telegraph obituary which revealed that Roy was still earing schoolboy shorts when he joined the RAF as a 15-year-old apprentice. His flying skill and daring were not only recognised by his decorations but by the fact that, after the war, the RAF wre very eager to keep him, granting a permanent commission in 1946. When he became ill and had to leave the Service, he established his sign business, which he ran successfully until he retired after suffering a stroke

P/O 3rd Dec. 1941
F/O 1st Oct. 1942
F/L 24th Jan. 1943
S/L 1st Sept. 1943

Distinguished Flying Medal 18 July 1941
564969 Flight Sergeant Joseph Roy George RALSTON, No. 107 Squadron

Distinguished Service Order 16 October 1942.
Act, Flt. Lt. J. R. G. RALSTON, D.F.M., No 105 Sqn
In September, 1942. Ft. Lt. Ralston and W/O. Armitage were pilot and observer respectively of one of a, formation of bomber aircraft detailed to attack a factory at Wiesbaden. The sortie involved a flight deep into German territory in daylight. Nevertheless, the objective was reached exactly as planned and subjected to vigorous bombing, hits being obtained.

Bar to Distinguished Service Order 24 August 1943
Acting Wing Commander Joseph Roy George RALSTON, D.S.O., D.F.M. (47650), Royal Air Force, No. 101 Squadron.
In April, 1943, Wing Commander Ralston undertook his 83rd sortie when he led a formation of bomber aircraft in an operation against rail targets at Trien and Ehrang, Germany. The operation demanded a high degree of skill and involved a flight far into enemy territory, in bad weather and at low altitude. On crossing the enemy coast line the bombers were hotly engaged. Despite this, formation was maintained and the aircraft flew on through heavy rainstorms and poor visibility, frequently at a height of only 50 feet, to reach the target, bomb it and obtain photographs. By his brilliant leadership, exceptional skill and determination, Wing Commander Ralston contributed in a large measure to the- success of the operation. Throughout his operational career this officer has set an example of the highest order. Undeterred by the fiercest opposition he has invariably pressed home his attacks with great vigour. His unswerving devotion to duty and heroic endeavours have set a standard beyond praise.

Air Force Cross 8th June, 1944
Acting Wing Commander Joseph Roy George RALSTON, D.S.O., D.F.M. (47650), Royal Air Force.

[Antipodean Andy]

Originally Posted by Kyt

Joseph Roy George Ralston 47650

Act, Flt. Lt. J. R. G. RALSTON, D.F.M., No 105 Sqn
In September, 1942. Ft. Lt. Ralston and W/O. Armitage were pilot and observer respectively of one of a, formation of bomber aircraft detailed to attack a factory at Wiesbaden. The sortie involved a flight deep into German territory in daylight. Nevertheless, the objective was reached exactly as planned and subjected to vigorous bombing, hits being obtained.

Another 105 lad. Will see what I can find on him tonight.

Phenomenal posts, Kyt. Well done.

[David Layne]

Originally Posted by Andy in West Oz

Another 105 lad. Will see what I can find on him tonight.

Phenomenal posts, Kyt. Well done.

Thanks for the contribution Andy.

Isn't Kyt incredible? In P.M.'s with him I have been calling him "The Font"

[Antipodean Andy]

Careful, DL, they'll have to demolish a wall at Kyt's place to get his head out so he can go down the shops! LOL, but yes, knowing where to find info when researching is a valuable tool. So is having a broad but detailed knowledge in the first place. Having both, as Kyt does, makes us very lucky to have him happy to help.

[David Layne]

A pat on the back and a round of applause for Kyt.

[Kyt]

Cheers guys but save the congrats until I've finished. I have a feeling that it could get harder soon.

[David Layne]

Originally Posted by Kyt

Cheers guys but save the congrats until I've finished. I have a feeling that it could get harder soon.

And your still up at this time of night? Get some rest Kyt there's research to do!

[Antipodean Andy]

Yeah, the engineering officers and the like might prove interesting. I've been wondering about them too.

[Kyt]

Kenneth Holstead BURNS

F/O 27th Mar. 1940
F/L 27th Mar. 1941.
S/L 28th Sept. 1943

CO 7 Squadron 5th June 1945 to 21st Jan 1946

As Squadron Leader (permanent) Kenneth Halstead BURNS, D.S.O., D.F.C. (40340).1st Oct. 1948 (seniority 1th Feb. 1948) (and transferred to the Secretarial Branch on appointment).

Squadron Leader K. H. BURNS, D.S.O., D.F.C. (40340) to the Equipment Branch retaining his existing rank and seniority. 18th Aug. 1949.

W/C 1st July 1957
W/C. K. H. Burns to No. 3 M.U., for administrative duties

Retirement Wing Commanders K. H. BURNS, D.S.O., D.F.C. (40340). 29th
June 1961.

Distinguished Flying Cross. 12 February 1943
Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Halstead BURNS (40340), No. 61 Squadron.

Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross
Squadron Leader Kenneth Holstead BURNS, D.F.C. (40340), Reserve of Air Force Officers, No. 97 Squadron.
One night in May, 1943, this officer captained an aircraft -detailed to attack Dortmund. Although on the outward flight, i engine in the aircraft became unserviceable, Squadron Leader Burns continued to the target and bombed it. A few nights later, he took part in an attack on a target in Czechoslovakia. Whilst still some 200 miles from the target his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The airspeed indicator was rendered unserviceable but Squadron Leader Burns flew on to the target where he executed a vigorous attack. On both occasions, this officer displayed great skill and determination.

Distinguished Service Order. 21 September 1943
Acting Wing Commander Kenneth Holstead BURNS, D.F.C. (40340), Reserve of Air Force Officers, No. 97 Squadron.
This officer has participated in a large number of sorties, involving attacks on dock installations and industrial centres in Germany and important targets in Italy His efforts throughout have been characterised by an inflexible determination to achieve success. On more than one occasion his aircraft has been damaged by enemy action but each time his persistence and skill have enabled him to reach and bomb his target. Wing Commander Burns has displayed high qualities of leadership, courage and devotion to duty.

He seems to have had quite a career:

Lancaster JA916 97 Squadron 31 August / 1 September 1943 on mission to Berlin

T/O 2037 from Bourn. Shot down by a night-fighter, exploded and crashed in the target area. W/C Burns, who lost a hand in the action, and P/O McAvoy had previously served with No.61 Sqdn, W/C Burns was repatriated in September 1944, but after being fitted with an artificial hand resumed his flying career.

W/C K H Burns DSO DFC PoW
P/O E G Dolby DFC RCAF KIA
P/O J K McAvoy DFM RCAF PoW
P/O J Keddie DFM PoW
W/O R J Williams PoW
W/O E H Skinner PoW
W/O O Lambert DFM KIA