Bennett's Staff

[Kyt]

Leonard Stewart Thorpe 126092

P/O 9th June 1942.
F/O 9th Dec 1942
F/L 8th June 1944

Distinguished Flying Medal 31 July 1942
1355432 Sergeant Leonard Stewart THORPE, No 35 Squadron
This wireless operator/air gunner has participated in many sorties over Germany and German occupied territory, including attacks on targets at Hamburg. Berlin, Cologne and the Ruhr. On the nfgbtt of April 21 and 28, 1942, Sgt. Thorpe participated in an attack on the German naval base at Trondhelm. These flights each involved a total flying time of more than nine hours and covered a distance of well over 1,360 miles over the North Sea and the mountainous country of Northern Norway. He also participated in the daylight raids on the German battleships (Gneisenau and Scharnhorst at Brest. Regardles of enemy opposition and bad weather, Sgt. Thorpe has never failed to produce necessary wireless information, which contributed much to the safe return of the aircraft.

Distinguished Flying Cross. 3 December 1943
Acting Flight Lieutenant Leonard Stewart THORPE, D.F.M. (126092), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 35 Squadron

Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross 16th November, 1945
Acting Squadron Leader Leonard Stewart THORPE, D.F.C., D.F.M. (126092), R.A.F.V.R., 35 Sqn.

Archie - A Pilot in RAF Bomber Command - W1019 TL-U from 35 Squadron
Archie - A Pilot in RAF Bomber Command - Air Raid on Scharnhorst and Gneisenau 1941
Archie - A Pilot in RAF Bomber Command - 30/31st March 1942 Raid

Picture of Thorpe:
Reg Lane -DSO DFC and Bar

[Kyt]

John Patrick Crump 106096

TERRITORIAL ARMY
Duke of Lancaster's Own—John Patrick CRUMP (late Cadet Serjt., St. Edwards's Sch. Contgt., Jun. Div., O.T.C.) to be 2nd Lt. 11th July 1937

The undermentioned officers. are tranfd. from Yeo., retaining rank and seniority, 15th Feb. 1940
2nd Lt. J. P. Crump (72540).

ROYAL ARTILLERY.
The undermentioned War Subs. Lts. relinquish their commns. on appt. to the R.A.F.V.R. 30th Sept. 1941
J. P. Crump (72540)

P/O 30th Sept. 1941
F/O 30th Sept. 1942

F/L John Patrick CRUMP, D.F.C. (91263). 3rd Mar1947 (seny. 22nd Dec. 1946).

Distinguished Flying Cross. 10 April 1945
Acting Squadron-Leader John Patrick CRUMP (106096), R.A.F.V.R., 109 Sqn.

The following former members of the Territorial Army are awarded the Efficiency Medal (Territorial), having completed the qualifying period whilst serving with the Royal Air Force and holding the ranks as shown. 20 May 1947
F/Lt. J. P. CRUMP, D.F.C. (106096).


Photo taken July 1949 but I cannot find any details for when he took command, and what happened to him after.

[Kyt]

Edward John Greenleaf 47663

P/O - Warrent Off 564646 Edward John GREENLEAF (47663). 19th Jan. 1942.
F/O 1st Oct. 1942
F/L 14th Nov. 1943

F/L 28th Feb. 1946
S/L 27th Aug. 1948

Retirement.
Squadron Leader E. J. GREENLEAF; D.S.O., (D.F.C. (47663). 21st Feb. 1958

Mentioned in Despatches 14th January, 1944
Squadron Leader E. J. GREENLEAF (47663) (Acting).

Mentioned in Despatches 2 June 1944
Acting Squadron Leader E. J. GREENLEAF (47663)

Distinguished Service Order 17 Nov 1944
Acting Squadron Leader Edward John GREENLEAF (47663), R.A.F., 571 Sqn
One night in October, 1944, a force of bombers was detailed for an important low-level mining mission, an operation requiring considerable skill and accuracy in flying. The target was strongly defended by heavy and light antiaircraft guns, searchlight, and balloons. Undeterred by these hazards and the most adverse weather, the operation was completed successfully. The success achieved reflects the greatest credit on the personnel mentioned.


Distinguished Flying Cross. 5 December 1944
Acting Squadron Leader Edward John GREENLEAF, D.S.O. (47663), R.A.F., 571 Sqn

[Kyt]

Robert Clifford Alabaster 81065

P/O 747803 LAC Robert Clifford ALABASTER (81065). 16th June 1940.
F/O 16th June 1941
F/L 16th June1942
S/L 1st June 1943

Distinguished Flying Cross 18 April 1941
Pilot Officer Robert Clifford ALABASTER (81065), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 51 Squadron.

Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross. 30th July, 1943.
Acting Wing Commander Robert Clifford ALABASTER, D.F.C. (81065), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 97 Squadron.

Distinguished Service Order 30th November, 1943
Acting Wing Commander Robert Clifford ALABASTER, D.F.C. (81065), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 97 Squadron.
Since being awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, this officer has participated in many sorties, including two attacks on Berlin. His fearlessness and skill have been an important factor in the many successes obtained. He is a most efficient flight commander and his example both in the air and on the ground has proved an inspiration to all.

Bar to Distinguished Service Order. 15th June, 1945
Acting Wing Commander Robert Clifford ALABASTER, D.S.O., D.F.C. (81065,), R.A.F.V.R., 608 Sqn.
This officer has splendid operational record, having participated in a hundred bombing sorties. In these operations he has attacked a wide range of strongly defended targets and throughout has set the highest standard of devotion to duty. Highly skilled, brave and resolute at all times, Wing Commander Alabaster has set an example which has been well reflected in the operational efficiency of the squadron he commands.

Alabastar became a leading light in long-range civilian flight testing after the war

[David Layne]

Originally Posted by Kyt

Thought I'd try one from the bottom of the list.

John Cecil MACGOWN (72766).

MEDICAL BRANCH.
The undermentioned is granted commission in the ranks stated. 23rd May 1939:
Flight Lieutenant John Cecil MACGOWN, M.D., Ch.B

S/L 16 December 1941

Mentioned in Despatches 2nd June 1944
Acting Wing Commander J. C. MACGOWN (72766), R.A.F.V.R.

Distinguished Flying Cross. 6th June, 1944
Acting Wing Commander John Cecil MACGOWN (72766), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. (8 Group HQ)

Relinquished commission 10th Feb. 1954:
Squadron Leaders, retaining the rank of Wing Commander J. C. MACGOWN, D.F.C., M.D., Ch.B. (72766).

This one is intriguing to me. Why was he awarded a D.F.C. when he was an MO? I was under the impression that this award was for flight operations.

[Kyt]

It maybe worth asking on rafcommands if anyone has a citation as I can't find one. Just an additional point - MacGown became the Secretary of the Pathfinder's Association

[Antipodean Andy]

Originally Posted by Kyt

This looks like the man, as there is no other H Almond that fits the bill. Andy, tis another 105 man, so could you check the book?

Missed this last night, Kyt, sorry, as was posting about Ralston and then battling the scanner. I won so we're back on deck.

[Antipodean Andy]

Originally Posted by David Layne

This one is intriguing to me. Why was he awarded a D.F.C. when he was an MO? I was under the impression that this award was for flight operations.

I reckon, and it's a big assumption, there's the chance he might have been involved in studies on aircrew and flew to get real data (additional crew member?) and, as a result, rose to the occasion when they were in trouble.

[Nostalgair]

Great effort guys. I'm in awe of your research abilities.

I wrote a story after interviewing a Pathfinder Navigator who'd won the DFC some time back. He was a very interesting chap and full of praise for bennet and his staff.

Cheers

Owen

[Antipodean Andy]

Are we able to find that story online or in an old mag, Owen?