Portsmouth’s WW2 Dead – the Royal Air Force (part 4)

27 decorations were won by 24 Portsmouth airmen who died during the Second World War. 5.7% of Portsmouth airmen were decorated in some way:

Distinguished Service Order
Wing Commander John Buchanan (227 Squadron, Beaufighters)

Distinguished Flying Cross
Flight Lieutenant Gerald Bird (97 Squadron, Manchesters)
Wing Commander John Buchanan (227 Squadron, Beaufighters)
Flying Officer John Coghlan (56 Squadron, Hurricanes)
Flying Officer Thomas Morris (unknown)
Flight Lieutenant Patrick McCarthy (7 Squadron, Lancasters)
Flight Lieutenant Benjamin McLaughlin (unknown)
Wing Commander Frank Dixon-Wright (115 Squadron, Wellingtons)
Flight Lieutenant Donald Courtenay (511 Squadron, Yorks)
Flying Officer John Donohue (635 Squadron, Lancasters)
Flight Lieutenant Dennis Woodruff (15 Squadron, Lancasters)

Distinguished Flying Medal
Flight Sergeant Arthur Smith (38 Squadron, Wellingtons)
Flight Sergeant James Bundle (97 Squadron, Lancasters)
Flight Lieutenant James Potter (233 Squadron, Hudsons)
Sergeant Francis Compton (35 Squadron, Halifaxes)
Flying Officer Frederick Brown (142 Squadron, Wellingtons)
Flight Sergeant Raymond Hayles (15 Squadron, Lancasters)

Mentioned in Despatches
Group Captain Ernest McDonald CBE (144 Maintenance Unit) – twice MiD
Sergeant Arthur Knight (unknown)
Flight Sergeant Herbert Clarke (617 Squadron, Lancasters)

Commander of the British Empire
Group Captain Ernest Mcdonald (144 Maintenance Unit)

Member of the British Empire
Warrant Officer Edgar Juffs (unknown)

British Empire Medal
Flight Lieutenant John Holder (55 Squadron, Baltimores)
Pilot Officer John Philp (149 Squadron, Stirlings)
Flying Officer William Grant (166 Squadron, Lancaster)

Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal
Aircraftman 1st Class Jack Heap (151 Maintenance Unit, captured in Singapore)

Two men won more than one medal – Group Captain Mcdonald CBE MiD (twice) and Wing Commander John Buchanan DSO DFC.

There seems to have been a fairly even split between officers and men winning awards – due to the specific nature of the air war, all men in the air were at the sharp end and had almost equal opportunities for showing bravery. Of course senior officers – pilots and commanders,for example – had more chance of winning leadership awards such as the DSO. Medals could also be awarded for prolonged good service or bravery rather than just one incident – something that was important given how Bomber crews in particular went up into the air night after night.

The vast majority of awards were given for men serving in bombers. Flight Lieutenant James Potter’s DFM was given for service with Hudson’s in Coastal Command. Flying Officer John Coghlan’s DFC was awarded for flying Hurricanes in Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain.

Another interesting point to note are two commissioned officers who were awarded Distinguished Flying Medals – an award normally given to NCO’s and men. These medals were obviously won while the recipients were NCO’s and before they were commissioned as officers.

Aircraftman 1st Class Jack Heap’s Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal was awarded posthumously for life saving deeds on 8 November 1944 whilst he was a prisoner of the Japanese after being captured at Singapore.

17 Comments

Filed under portsmouth heroes, Royal Air Force, Uncategorized, World War Two

17 responses to “Portsmouth’s WW2 Dead – the Royal Air Force (part 4)

  1. This is really interesting, You’re an overly professional blogger.

    I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to in search of extra of your fantastic post.
    Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks

  2. It utilizes Macromedia Flash technology as the foundation for displaying media files.
    You can also use a web site like FlipSwap to sell
    your utilized Iphone. The .3 or .four are modern firmware versions.

  3. The mounted screen systems are incredibly airtight and it is possible to therefore,
    rely on them. To get a simple photo, struck the camera button without selecting Outcomes solution. I’m your pain, fellow
    business people.

  4. What precisely that intended wasn’t instantly established, but after the update was installed, it became clear.
    There are many strategies to unjailbreak your phone.
    Action 13: You’ve reached the point of no return.

  5. If this transfer will be successful remains to be observed.

    In order to eliminate Windows Mobility Center, you will have to hack your registry.
    Then, select Record steps to replicate an issue.

  6. Hey there are using WordPress for your blog platform?
    I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get
    started and create my own. Do you require any html coding expertise
    to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  7. This is not utilized in a house atmosphere, merely in corporations having a focused logon server.
    From your models folder, right click and select Properties.
    Swift comms that solves plenty of worries.

  8. Windows 7 permits you to Take, Shake and Look. They produce the windows appear to be
    that of the Western cafi. When they find me on Facebook and want to be a friend what
    should I do? You may want to read their spicy survey here.

  9. Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find
    It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give
    something back and help others like you helped me.

  10. I do believe all of the ideas you’ve presented for
    your post. They are really convincing and will definitely work.
    Nonetheless, the posts are too short for novices.
    May just you please lengthen them a little from subsequent time?

    Thank you for the post.

  11. I’m gone to convey my little brother, that he should also
    go to see this blog on regular basis to take updated from hottest news.

  12. You can even set up reporting intervals and Gps navigation intervals.
    Yet another helpful Iphone application, the Issues helps you create checklists for your duties.
    How to find out if my girlfriend is dishonest on Fb?

  13. Definitely consider that which you stated. Your favourite reason appeared to be on the internet the easiest
    factor to take into account of. I say to you, I certainly get irked whilst other people consider concerns that they just do
    not recognize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and also defined out the whole thing with no need side-effects ,
    folks can take a signal. Will likely be again to get more. Thanks

  14. Hi there to all, the contents present at this website
    are in fact awesome for people knowledge, well, keep up the good work fellows.

  15. What the heck i just read? The earliest thing is to consult the physician in advance of making use of this product.
    The extract of Forskolin is accessible as supplements and products and
    talking to a doctor will give you a clear perception of the fact will it fit you or not.

    This supplement typically meets the requirements of the men and women but exclusions are always
    there. So, you must make certain you are definitely not the main one
    that are unable to use this supplement. Another problem is concerning the
    dose. You might want to ask your doctor concerning absorption and be specific concerning this authentic
    Forskolin.
    WOW.Nice read here. The actual factor to precisely how this product works is that it is actually a
    dual-action diet product, and therefore it works as being an appetite reducing aid including a “fat burner”.

    This actually suggests that it oxidizes your fat body cells by using
    anti-oxidants, and that results in extra power for yourself
    – but only if know how to have authentic Forskolin in the
    correct style.Many diet solutions currently available are meant near reving up your fat burning capacity,
    which is certainly not really risk-free for many of us – and that is why more and more
    are deciding to invest in Forskolin extract instead.

Leave a reply to bmr.zendesk.com Cancel reply