My third cousin, Pilot Officer Arthur Charles Geary, RAFVR DFC, was a wireless operator / gunner on Blenheims in Greece with 211 Squadron in 1941. On Easter Sunday (13 April) 1941 he was in the CO’s (S/L A T Irvine) Blenheim I, L8478, leading a flight of six from RAF Paramythia en route to bomb the German advances through the Monastir Gap. Before reaching the target the Blenheims were attacked by Bf109s and all were shot down and most crew were killed. They included my cousin, and he was buried, with others, at the Phaleron Military cemetery in Athens.
Although I have seen a bit of standard documentation (RAeC pilot’s certificate, what is left of the 211 ORBs – most were destroyed – , and the 211 on-line archive) I still have not found out why he was awarded a DFC. All I know is that it was posthumous, and that his father received it from King George VI. How can I find the citation or whatever that will tell me the details? Thanks.
By: l.garey - 6th August 2017 at 15:18
Thanks also Ross. You beat me to going back to the excellent 211 archive. I just did, and there is the answer:
Geary AC Pilot Officer 79188 Distinguished Flying Cross Air Ministry AIR 2/9532
“This officer has completed 62 sorties of which 38 were carried out within 42 days. He has acted as rear gunner in his Commanding Office’s aircraft for six months, and his keen observation and clear reports on the numerous manoeuvres of enemy aircraft have undoubtedly helped to save our own aircraft on many occasions. He has assisted in beating off enemy fighters on 16 occasions. His courage and devotion to duty have been exemplary.”
London Gazette 13 March 1942 p1164 “Awarded with effect from 21 March 1941…
For gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations”
So, for long and faithful service rather than a single act of bravery. I must say it’s moving to have a DFC in the family. It’s the first to my knowledge!
By: l.garey - 6th August 2017 at 15:13
Thanks Adrian. I had already tried that and all it gives is:
Pilot Officer Arthur Charles GEARY (79188),
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (deceased),
No. 211 Squadron, awarded with effect from 2ist March, 1941.
In fact, that also shows the award predated his death, so it must have been something brave before the crash flight.
I’ll look again at the 211 archive.
By: Ross_McNeill - 6th August 2017 at 15:09
The Gazette entry is single line on award – no citation as common for most DFC wartime awards.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35486/supplement/1164/data.pdf
However the No.211 Sqn site – possibly the on-line archive you mention in post 1 has the citation
http://www.211squadron.org/gallantry_awards.html
Ross
By: adrian_gray - 6th August 2017 at 15:02
I’d expect the London Gazette to carry the notice of the award, with a brief description of why – https://www.thegazette.co.uk/
I’ve not used it myself for years, it used to be notoriously dreadful to search, so good luck!
Adrian
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August 6, 2017 at 2:03 pm