Good afternoon all. I am researching the history of my son in laws father 1283603 Flt Sgt Roy Arthur Billen DFM Whilst flying with 70 Sqd he was awaded the DFM on 5th Feb 1943. We have no record of his citation and would like to obtain this. Roy went on to complete 79 Ops flying Wellingtons and survived two crashed landings. We believe that the medal was awarded for raids on Tobruk any help would be appreciated.
I have a copy of the citation. I'm just skipping through the forum tonight though. If no one helps out drop me a private message on Monday to remind me and I'll post it up then on my day off for you. Cheers Andy Ps It's North Africa and Tobruk focused.
Hi Andy, No other replies and so your help would be appreciated. I hope I have posted this in the right place. When I grew up (debatable) computers were just adding machines with a handle to pull and long rolls of paper. Regards, Gethin.
1283603 Flight Sergeant Roy Arthur Billen, 70 Squadron Royal Air Force Gazetted 5/2/1943 Pilot Air 2/8933 This NCO has carried out 33 night bombing raids against the enemy in North Africa and the Mediterranean. Fifteen of these attacks have been against Tobruk. On two occasions, he was detailed to carry flares and illuminate the target (Tobruk). In the face of severe opposition on each occasion, he succeeded in placing his flares so accurately that the bombers were able to carry out a highly successful attack. His keenness to operate and the quiet, reassuring manner in which he goes about his duties during times of stress have been an inspiration to the different crews he has captained and also the rest of the flight. He has, from the time he joined this squadron, great determination in attacking his targets and a high degree of flying skill when returning from operations with damaged aircraft. 21st December 1942.
Thank you Drew, Roy never spoke of his citation and just brushed it off as a few flights over the desert and never mentioned his pathfinder role. He flew 49 ops on his first tour and then contracted malaria and did not fly for 9 months and then when returned to flying duties he was posted to Morton in Marsh to do a "refresher" course on the same Wellingtons that he had completed 49 ops with. Reassigned to 142 Squadron he went on to complete another tour of 30 ops and the remained in the Middle East flying Dacota's and ferrying various types of aircraft in the same theater until leaving the RAF in 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant. Regards, Gethin.
I have just received my great uncle's flight book. He was part of 70 squadron and a Sgt Billen is one of the pilots he flew with. I wonder if this could he the same person. Wouldn't that be amazing
Billen is not a common name and I would say to have 2 people of that same surname in the same squadron is pushing the boundaries of possibility - so in my view Flt Sgt Roy Arthur Billen mentioned in the first post would be the same one as that in your Great Uncles flight book Sadly member Gethin has not been seen on the forum since March 2015, although he may still receive notifications if his email address is still active TD
Evelyn, I have the No. 70 Sqn ORB from May to October 1942. I can't tell you when he arrived because it just seems to show officers. But the first operation he appears on is 4-5 July 1942 flying Wellington AD634 "N" The crew on this op appears to have been Sgt RA Billen - Pilot Sgt CJ Fraser - 2nd Pilot Sgt WA Rylance - Observer F/Sgt AT Kinne - Wireless Operator F/Sgt HC Cameron - Front Gunner Sgt CR Holley - Rear Gunner On 10-11 July 1942 he is aboard Wellington DW616 "A" with the same crew as above. "13 a/c took off to attack dock installations at Tobruk. "S" (P/O Turner) bombed the road east of Sollum owing to late take off, without observing results and encountered two single engine a/c and one twin engined but was able to evade all three. "A" (Sgt Billen) crashed through lack of petrol and low cloud five miles from base. The crew were uninjured but the aircraft was a complete write-off. The remainder had quite successful results, at least half a dozen fires started in areas C and B. Opposition was moderate but for the most part inaccurate. 52 x 500 (GPTD) 12 seconds delay and 12 SBC 4lb incendiaries were dropped." Regards, Dave
Dave would it be possible for you to check 10th Aug 1942 to see if there's a rear gunner j d love as that's the date in my uncle's book which states Sgt Billen was the pilot.
Evelyn, On 10/11 August 1942, the same crew as above. The aircraft was Wellington BB642 "G". They next fly on the 13/14, same aircraft but Front Gunner is Flying Officer WH Harper in lieu of F/Sgt Cameron. 15/16 in Wellington DV570 "M" with P/O HJ Crawford as W/Op. On 23/24 in Wellington DV498 "F" Billen, 2nd Pilot P/O RG Smith, Obs F/Sgt WC Ohrt, W/Op P/O FE Callaghan, Front Gunner Sgt JF Matthews, Rear Gunner Sgt. J. Sweeney. This carries on until month's end. The first time I see your great-uncle appear is 30/31 August: Wellington DV639 "L" Pilot: P/O H. Goddard 2nd Pilot: Sgt E Benning Observer: Sgt HP Dyson Wireless operator: Sgt TA Hughes Front Gunner: Sgt R Evans Rear Gunner: Sgt JD Love He flies a couple of times with Goddard in September, then seems to disappear. On the third Goddard crew op of September he has a different rear gunner. Then we don't see the Goddard crew again. Regards, Dave
My great uncle died on the 5th Sept 1942 his body never found. He was flying with a different crew on Wellington bomber BB477. I wonder why he has Sgt Billen as the pilot on the 10th Aug. I have checked the national archives and can't find him flying with Billen on the 10th if Aug either. Strange
I'm using the same documents that TNA has. One thing to keep in mind is that Operations Record Books are quite often incorrect. Sometimes, horribly so. If his flying log says he flew with Billen on the 10th, then he did.
That's great to know. I've only had his book just over a week now. I put a post on this site over 2 years ago and the man who had the book contacted me regarding it and sent it to me. So it is now back to my family nearly 72 years later. So I am delighted that my little post on here has lead to my great uncle's return. Amazing.
I know thats why I posted it here after you said you had started one a while back - it may help others as there might be something in there - you never know TD
