This is my first time on this website so hope someone can help.
An old friend called Tommy Kidger aged 87 who was a Navigator in ’31 Squadron’ flying in Halifax bombers died just before Xmas. Tommy was awarded the DFC in 1944 but only ever mentioned this to one or two close friends, but never said why he was awarded it. He like a lot of other war hero’s didn’t talk about his service in Bomber Command. Is there any way I could find out why Tommy received the DFC?
When I got in touch with our Local Newspaper to ask if they’d do a story on Tommy they offered to do it whenever we give them the information & photos.
My email address is [email]Norman@Dunn247.com[/email] if anyone can help.
THANK YOU,
Norman
By: avro683 - 8th January 2007 at 23:08
Hi Norman.
Thomas KIDGER, 155899, RAFVR. Commissioned 19/8/43, from Sgt, 1500040.
To F/O, 19/2/44, and F/Lt (war substantive), 19/8/45. DFC as P/O, with 51 Sqn. London Gazette, 21/1/44. No citation, other than the general “For gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.”
Signed on in the RAF, 17/7/47, as F/O (substantive), on Extended Service of four years on the Active List. Promoted to F/Lt, the next day. Just one of those little quirks of Service protocol.
Regards, Doug.
By: Ross_McNeill - 8th January 2007 at 20:23
From the Gazette 21/01/44:429
Kidger, Thomas, P/O, (155899), RAFVR, 51 Sqn
Regards
Ross
By: TomDocherty72 - 8th January 2007 at 10:07
DFC
Norman,
Try posting this on the RAF Commands forum website
There are several DFC experts on there who are sure to be able to help. You could also try the London Gazette website
http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveSearch.asp?WebType=0&Referer=WW2
but this is not a user friendly site and can be difficult to get information from. Hope this helps.
Tom
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January 8, 2007 at 9:47 am