Well, to start with, do you have the serial number?

In my opinion, for what it is worth, the Wilson book is a far better read. His “Men of Air” is also great. As to the best BC book, probably Nuremburg Raid by Middlebrook?;)

Thanks for that,

Have now ordered the book from the library.;)

Men of the Battle of Britain has details of Gp Capt Fraser Barton Sutton. Probably the same man, all the details seem to fit. I’ll precis the details tomorrow if no-one else does…

snap!

Again,

A similar story to many. First went to Hendon in late 70’s. Absolutely loved the place, used to ignore Duxford and go at least a couple of times a year.

It is still a great museum, if you’ve never been then you have to go, but it was so much better. Duxford and Old Warden, for example, feel alive, even when things don’t change that much I at least get the sense that they are being cared for. Hendon just feels dead. I know there are people that care there, they must be sad about the state of affairs.

Bookshop used to be great, I used to nip in there if I was going past on the M25. Now it is overpriced, very limited, and frankly full of c**p.

I remember in the early 80’s there was a big sign outside saying that they had Douglas Bader’s medals, and it was great to go in and see them. These days you often can’t get into see them, and when I did a while ago, there was a huge dead fly laying in the case in front of them.

The problems are down to money. I can see the merit of free entry, but eventually it will all get shabby to the point that even the people who don’t really care about the RAF and just have a free day out will stop going.

I pay £50 odd a year to be a friend of Duxford and go probably six times a year. I would be happy to do the same for Hendon.

For info,

The DFC register doesn’t record a citation, just the LG date, etc.

Hi,

I’m assuming that your father was J K Ronald?

If so, his award is published in the London Gazette. It doesn’t have any citation, this often means an award given at the end of a tour for a period of sustained effort, rather than for one individual act of bravery.

The London Gazette site appears to be down at the minute, but when it is up you can search it for his award. The Gazette date is 20/7/45, and it is on page 3782.

It may also be worth Googling for the online edition of 617s Operational Record Book. This is a daily diary kept by all units of the RAF. It will have several mentions of his name, what operations he flew on, etc

There isn’t any online list of DFC recipients I’m aware of. There are a couple of helpful books, Honour the Air Forces has a list of virtually all of the DFCs. There is a two volume list of the DFC’s, The Distinguished Flying Cross and how it was won, but this is quite difficult to find.

Hope this helps 🙂

As promised…

Air 2/9605

Sgt Pickering was W/Op of a Liberator of 120 Sqn detailed to carry out an important reconnaissance of the Norwegian coast on 28 May 42. Sgt Pickering had been with the sqn since its formation and has flown with the same captain throughout. On the occasion when his aircraft was attacked by three ME109s he showed exceptional courage by takingthe place of the wounded rear gunner and destroying one of the enemy aircraft though he himself had previously been wounded and rendered unconscious. When the third W/Op became disabled and the bomb bay was a mass of flames, he again showed outstanding courage and initiative by taking over the radio and sending out an S.O.S. Throughout the whole action he displayed outstanding coolness and courage. These qualities continued to be displayed in spite of his wounds, after his aircraft had been shot down and crashed into the sea and throughout a period of 31 days in which the survivors trekked across mountainous and dangerous country to reach neutral territory.

Remarks by Stn Cdr

I readily concur in the recommendation of the Sqn Cdr. Sgt Pickering, although sorely wounded and at one time actually unconscious, rallied himself with such courage and determination that he destroyed an enemy aircraft. He subsequently so kept control of his own painful condition that he was able to take full share in the struggle against odds of weather and uninhabited country which enabled him and his comrades to reach neutral territory.