In the early hours of Sunday 8th January 2012, John Whiteley DFC passed away peacefully in his sleep.
I first met John in September 2006 at the 619 Squadron Memorial unveiling to the crew of Lancaster ME846 at Postel, Belgium and tonight as I have typed up this post I have drunk several toasts to John will a rather nice glass of Leffe Brune!
John was the secretary of the 619 Squadron Association and a passionate supporter of the Bomber Command Memorial Appeal. Since I first met John our paths crossed at several 619 Squadron Association Reunions, at events at the William Farr School, at Dunholme Lodge, Thorpe Camp, the Petwood Hotel and on one occasion at Cockpit-Fest.
At that particular Cockpit-Fest we were fortunate to have a flypast by the BBMF Dakota and I must confess to shedding a few ‘shared’ tears with John at the wonderful sight of several low passes from a type that John had flown whilst in the RAF.
For the most part John was always keen to assist and look after others, but fortunately he recorded a personal memoire of his service and from that publication “Solider Turned Airman” I have extracted the following outline of his service career, which is detailed below.
Blue skies John I was proud to have known you!
“John volunteered for service in the Territorial Army in Grimsby in March 1939. He was called up for a month’s full-time training on 13 August 1939.”
Towards the end of 1940 an appeal went out for volunteers for flying duties with the Royal Air Force and John volunteered.
14 July 1941 he passed his selection interview in the Long Room at Lords.
ITW – Newquay (billeted in the Beachcroft Hotel)
29 EFTS – Clyffe Pypard
Illness stopped his departure to North America
January 1942 – 4 FIS, Cambridge
April 1942 – qualified as Flying Instructor
Returned to – Clyffe Pypard (& Alton Barnes)
February 1943 – 7 FIS, Upavon (twin training)
April 1943 – John was commissioned
August 1943 – Tangmere & Clyffe Pypard
January 1944 – Cranwell & Caistor (twin refresher)
April 1944 – Ossington (decompression tests)
16 OTU – Upper Heyford
July 1944 – Scampton (Aircrew School)
August 1944 – 1654 HCU, Wigsley
October 1944 – No.5 Lancaster Finishing School, Syerston
20 October 1944 – 619 Squadron Strubby
First Op as captain – gun emplacements at West Kapelle
Last Op – 10/11 April 1945, Leipzig
Transferred to Transport Command at Castle Donnington
Post-war flew Dakotas
Autumn 1945 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, with the following citation:
“Flight Lieutenant John Whiteley has made many sorties as a pilot and captain of aircraft, his objectives including the Dortmund-Ems Canal. Once when detailed to attack a target near Leipzig, both turrets of his aircraft became unserviceable soon after entering enemy territory but after evading a night fighter, he reached and bombed his objective. His keenness and gallantry in the face of the enemy have set a stirring example to all members of his Squadron.”
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January 14, 2012 at 9:09 pm