DFC details for three airmen please??

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Mark Potts, Dec 9, 2022.

  1. Mark Potts

    Mark Potts Well-Known Member

    Hi all. Been researching a crew in No.83 Squadron who were all lost on July 25, 1944. Have been trying to locate details of three of them who won the Distinguished Flying Cross and what they won the award for. I am a member of Ancestry and findmypast but can't seem to find anything on them. Any ideas please?? The recipients were: 135750 Flight Lt. Stanley George Norris, 415490 Flight Lieutenant Raymond Charles Banfield and 134564 Flight Lieutenant Michael Ward. Thanks very much for reading. Mark.
     
  2. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

    All gallantry and MID were Gazetted in the London Gazette

    you can can view the gazette entry online by google search on service number surname RAF gazette
    eg 135750 Norris RAF gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37443/supplement/653/data.pdf

    This entry is notice of award only - it does not have a citation - this can be found by personally or using a researcher to view at the TNA in AIR2.

    However note the date of gazette against effective date of award - It is due to post war info becoming available so related to the events before the aircraft loss.

    Banfield is a golden buzzer pass - being RAAF his full service and casualty files are available at the National Archives of Australia.
    Service file has been digitized and is open now
    https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/SearchScreens/BasicSearch.aspx
    Search results time out so put
    415490 Banfield
    into the keywords box and hit search

    Click on the sheaf of papers icon for his A9300 file to view in full. Unlike RAF records this has not been redacted and contains all paperwork including photos and conduct sheets.

    You can request digitisation of other files such as his A705 casualty form which will contain all correspondence known by the RAF on the loss and subsequent notice of fatality and closure of effects to next of kin. There is a backlog due to covid but usually NAA digitises the file and notify that they have made is access similar to A9300 file.

    You can also find the citation on here
    BANFIELD Raymond Charles 415490 | Aviation Heritage Museum

    Ward
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37197/supplement/3878/data.pdf

    Again note the difference between gazetting and effective date of award.

    You can request a copy of the redacted service record of the RAF men from RAF Disclosures - taking about 3 to 4 weeks to return (£30 fee for each but will give you chapter and verse on their postings and mustering that you will not get anywhere on line for any subscription fee)

    Ross
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2022
  3. Mark Potts

    Mark Potts Well-Known Member

    Ross, thank you very much mate.
     
  4. Syerston106

    Syerston106 Member

    All 3 Airmen were posted to 106 Squadron in October 1943 from 1654 CU Wigsley.
     

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