Thread: Bennett's Staff

S fo Sugar? Wow, to think you can go to see an aircraft that Partridge flew. Amazing.

Did a quick search for the trip where he earned his first DFC. One of the searches was "83 Sqn" and this thread came up on the first Google page! Quick spiders...LOL. July 42 appears to have been just after 83 converted to Lancs from Manchesters in May (prior to that it was Hampdens). So, daylight raids in Lancs in mid-42...

Dudley Farquhar Allen

George Medal 17 Jan 1941

968365 Sergeant Dudley Farquhar ALLEN. 109 Squadron
In September, 1940, this airman was the turret gunner of an aircraft which crashed in dense mist; he was dazed by a heavy blow on the head and his parachute harness was entangled with the seat.

Although the compartment door was jammed, Sergeant Allen succeeded in forcing his way out of the wreckage and, in spite of the fact that the aircraft was on fire, he proceeded with great energy and resolution to extricate the unconscious bodies of three of the crew at the risk of his own life.

Undeterred by the increasing intensity of the heat and fumes from the burning wreckage, and amid exploding ammunition, he then endeavoured to find the pilot, but was unsuccessful. Unaware, owing to the dense mist, that the crash had occurred on the aerodrome, Sergeant Allen removed the unconscious man to a safe distance from the flames before assistance arrived. It was due to his efforts that the three members of the crew were not burned with the aircraft, though unfortunately they subsequently died from injuries sustained during the crash.

British Empire Medal 11th July 1941

968365 Sergeant Dudley Farquhar Allen,. G.M., Royal Air Force.

One evening in April an enemy aircraft dropped incendiary bombs on an aerodrome. One bomb fell into the cockpit of an aircraft on the ground and lodged beneath the seat and under the front of the fuselage petrol tank in a position which prevented its removal.

Sergeant Allen attempted to extinguish the incendiary but his efforts were unavailing owing to its position. He therefore climbed into the cockpit and, although fully aware that the fuel tank was likely to explode at any moment, he plied fire extinguishers against the side of the tank and put soil on the incendiary until it was finally extinguished.

At the time a large number of men were engaged in putting out other incendiaries near the aircraft. There is no doubt that Sergeant Allen, by his initiative and gallant conduct in the face of extremely dangerous conditions, prevented many casualties which would certainly have occurred had the tank exploded.

DFC 12th Jan 1945
Acting Squadron Leader Dudley Farquhar ALLEN, G.M., B.E.M. (111932), R.A.F.V.R., 156 Sqn.

This officer has completed a large number of operational sorties. He is the Squadron Gunnery Leader and has displayed marked zest for operational flying against the enemy. His fine fighting spirit, determination and skill have earned for him the respect of all under his leadership.

Golly, he was active...and brave! Award of the George Medal has shades of this episode we discussed recently: http://ww2chat.com/forums/obituaries...ullen-rip.html

George Francis Grant 42216 Born in Canada

P/O (Probation) 9th Dec. 1939
P/O 1st May 1940.
F/O 9th Dec. 1940
S/L 1st Nov. 1943
W/C 21st Feb 1945
Retired as G/C 20th Apr. 1949.


DFC 10 March 1942
Flight Lieutenant George Francis GRANT (42216), No. 109 Squadron.

Distinguished Service Order. 9 November 1943
Acting Wing Commander George Francis GRANT, D.F.C. (42216), Royal Air Force, No,. 156 Squadron.
Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross this officer has undertaken many sorties, covering a wide range of targets. His unswerving devotion to duty, fortitude and tenacity- were amply demonstrated on one 'occasion when he attacked Bochum in the face of difficult circumstances. Wing Commander Grant is an outstanding leader'whose fine qualities have impressed all

Bar to Distinguished Service Order 23d March, 1945
Acting Group Captain George Francis GRANT, D.S.O., D.F.C., R.A.F., 109 Sqn
Group Captain Grant has been in command of his squadron since May 1944. He has displayed great powers of leadership and has been largely responsible for the successful operations completed by his squadron.

During his long operational career this officer has displayed the greatest enthusiasm and determination and by his untiring efforts and splendid example the squadron has attained a high standard of skill and accuracy.

Grant died in 1990. The first page of his obit is available here but someone may have the book and be able to provide the second page:

Canada from Afar: The Daily ... - Google Book Search

Herbert Gardner Travers: born in 1891;

• worked for Joseph Travers and Sons Limited, trading merchants, London, 1910-1914;
• joined Machine Gun Section, 1 Bn, Honourable Artillery Company and posted to France, 1914;
• joined Royal Naval Air Service, 1915;
• undertook reconnaissance flights in France, 1916-1917;
• flew on North Sea anti-submarine patrols, 1917;
• served in France with 211 Sqn, RAF, 1918;
• test pilot and seaplane pilot, Blackburn Aeroplane and Manufacturing Company, Athens, Greece, 1926-1928;
• pilot instructor, Bristol and Wessex Club, Cinque Ports Flying Club, and London Aeroplane Club, 1928-1933;
• pilot, National Air Display, 1934;
• pilot, Spartan Air Lines, Imperial Airways and British Airways, 1935-1938;
• Flight Lt, Administration and Special Duties Branch, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 1939-1945;

died in 1958

AIM25: Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives, King's College London: TRAVERS BROTHERS

Herbert Gardner Travers - The Aerodrome - Aces and Aircraft of World War I

Travers - pioneering pilot by the looks of it. Anyone got the Blackburn works book?

Cyril Albert Johong Smith 111563

P/O 24th Oct. 1941
F/O 1st Oct. 1942
F/L 5th Oct. 1943

DFC 11 May 1943
Flying Officer Cyril Albert Johong SMITH (111563), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 83 Squadron.
Throughout- his operational career F/O. Smith has been employed in attacking, almost exclusively, the most dangerous targets in Germany and has never failed to press home his mission in the face of the fiercest opposition. On one occasion F/O. Smith's gunners were able to shoot down an enemy fighter before any damage had been inflicted on their own aircraft.

Distinguished Service Order. 30th November, 1943.
Acting Squadron Leader Cyril Albert Johong SMITH, D.F.C. (111563), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 83 Squadron.
Squadron Leader Smith has participated in a very large number of sorties, including three attacks on Berlin. He has never failed to reach his target and his attacks have invariably been pressed home with great determination. This officer has displayed outstanding skill, courage and devotion

Charles McKenzie Dunnicliffe 49010

P/O 20th June 1940
F/O 20th June 1941
S/L 27th March 1944

Distinguished Flying Cross. 8 February 1944
Acting Wing Commander Charles McKenzie DUNNICLIFFE (49010), Royal Air Force, No. 97 Squadron.


Distinguished Service Order. 11 July 1944
Acting Wing Commander Charles McKenzie DUNNICLIFFE, D.F.C. (49010), R.A.F., 582 Sqn.
This officer has undertaken many sorties against various targets, including 7 attacks on Berlin. He is an outstanding captain, whose keenness, courage and devotion to duty have set a splendid example. In addition to his work in the air, Wing- Commander Dunnicliffe has shown a high degree of organising ability and great drive and his untiring efforts have been reflected in the operational efficiency of the squadron he commands.

Flight Magazine AUGUST 22ND, 1946

10,000-Mile Training Flight
SEVEN aircraft from the Empire Air Navigation School, Shawbury, Shropshire, completed on August 11th a navigation training flight of 10,000 miles, which was accomplished in thirteen days. They left Shawbury on the morning of July 30th and flew to Gibraltar in eight hours, covering about 1,550 miles. En route they practised a new navigational method known as "pressure pattern flying" in the Atlantic, well to the west of the Iberian Peninsula. Pressure pattern flying is a collection of individual techniques based on well-known meteorological principles, coupled with the use of radar. Between Gibraltar and Castel Benito, in Libya, a distance of 1,500 miles, they executed other tests in the Mediterranean to the west of Sicily.

The next hop, of 1,750 miles, over the Sahara desert to Khartoum called for exact navigation in an area where there were no radar and few radio or landmark aids. Then the 1,100-mile flight down the Nile Valley to Almaza (Cairo) was accomplished in about six hours. The return was made via Castel Benito and Gibraltar to Shawbury, which five aircraft reached by 5.30 a.m. on the 11th. One Halifax landed at Shawbury at 2 p.m., but another was delayed at Gibraltar. One Lancastrian accompanied the formation of Halifaxes on the flight. The Officer Commanding the mission was Wing Cdr. C. M. Dunnicliffe D.S.O., D.F.C.