Try to find more out on this man and his flights if anyone can help with the 138 sqn ORB's. He did a tour of 30 operational flights. John Stuart Matthews D.F.M Born 1921 , from 73 Appletongate Newark , studied at Magnus Grammar School Newark , became a postman , on call up : 29/4/41 No 2 School of Recruits Training RAF Cardington Bedford , 30/6/41 No 1 Aircrew Reception Centre Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset , 27/9/41 No 12 Initial Training Wing, St. Andrews Scotland , 13/11/41 No 1 Elementary Air Observer School, Eastbourne , 14/3/42 No 32 Air Navigation School, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Canada , 17/7/42 No 31 Personnel Despatch Centre Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada , 8/8/42 No 3 Personnel Reception Centre Somerset House, Bath Road, Bournemouth , 9/42 No 30 Observer Advanced Flying Unit , 15/9/42 No. 26 Operational Training Unit RAF Wing Aylesbury Vale Buckinghamshire , 11/2/43 1651 Conversion Unit RAF Waterbeach Cambridgeshire ( Handley Page Halifax ) , 25/3/43 No. 138 (Special Duties) Squadron RAF Tempsford Sandy, Bedfordshire , 3/4/43 Parachute Training School RAF Ringway Cheshire , 11/4/43 No. 138 (Special Duties) Squadron RAF Tempsford Sandy, Bedfordshire 3/8/43 Discharged 1427799 Flight Sergeant, 4/8/43 Temporary Commission 155552 Pilot Officer No. 138 (Special Duties) Squadron RAF Tempsford Sandy, Bedfordshire 4/8/43 awarded Distinguished Flying Medal , Gazzetted citation read " Throughout , he has displayed an exceptionally high standard of navigation and his efforts have been attended by much sucess " 15/10/43 , 4/2/44 Promoted Flying Officer 15/10/43 presented with gold cufflinks from Post Office staff for " in appreciation of the honour he had brought on the Post Office by being the first member of staff to win a distinction in the War " 4/2/44 RAF career did 30 operational flights. Relinquished commission on the grounds of ill health retained rank. 28/5/45 Died Southfield Nursing Home Nottingham from Tuberculosis. Buried Newark CWGC plot Newark Cemetery London Road Newark.
Unfortunately, unless you know the name of his pilot, the 138sqdn ORB is of no help, as it only records the name of the pilot against each aircraft.
I have found 27 ops for the Wilkinson crew, so if we assume that he was with Wilkinson for these, then here are the dates of each op, all to France unless stated otherwise. May 43.... Night of 12/13th. 13/14th. 15/16th. 16/17th. 18/19th. 20/21st. 23/24th. June....... 10/11th. 11/12th. 13/14th. 14/15th. 16/17th. 19/20th, Holland. 20/21st. 22/23rd, Belgium. 23/24th, Holland. July...... 12/13th. 13/14th. 15/16th. 16/17th. 22/23rd. August..... 8/9th. 11/12th, Belgium. 12/13th. 14/15th. 17/18th. 18/19th. 20/21st. No more Wilkinson ops from this date, so other 3 ops for Matthews possibly with another crew.
Thank you Alan , that would tie in with him 3/4/43 Parachute Training School RAF Ringway Cheshire and 4/2/44 RAF career did 30 operational flights. Relinquished commission on the grounds of ill health retained rank. Depending on how long his TB took to take effect ( medicine not my field of expertise ).
Further the above, I have information on the No 1 Elementary Air Observer School, Eastbourne. Pse advise if this would be of help. M