FLEMING, WO Melville (R109805/J89169)

[sandiego]

FLEMING, WO Melville (R109805/J89169)
Anyone know which sqn this airman was on his first tour before 156 sqn?
He flew in 1943/4 on ops.

especially
27 Mar 43 Berlin
16 Apr 43 Pilsen
18 Apr 43 Spezia
20 Apr 43 Stettin

FLEMING, WO (later P/O) Melville (R109805/J89169) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.156 Squadron

Thanks in advance
Peter

[Merlin]

Hi Sandiego

welcome to the forum. If you are able to see a copy of the 156 Squadron ORB (operational record book), it will almost certainly record the date that this airman joined the Squadron and the OTU (operational training unit) or Squadron that he was transferred from.

I have a list of all the DFC awards and will look this up for you.

Good luck with your research

Regards Merlin

[Merlin]

Hi Sandiego

as promised I have found a reference to the DFC as follows:

FLEMING, Melville WO1C, (C/R 109805) RCAF. 156 Squadron. London Gazette 12/12/1944 Page 5693. If there isn,t a citation in the L.G. it might be possible to find a reccomendation for the award in the National Archives; unfortunately quite a number of these did not survive the War.

Regards Merlin

[AlanW]

I'm afraid the ORB does not record his arrival at 156sqdn, his first op with them was on 11th June,

[sandiego]

Thanks for the help. I'll keep digging. I do have a chap who was a gunner with the Dashper crew on 61 sqn but with a different initial.

Peter

[AlanW]

Peter,
I have the 61sqdn ORB from Jan 41 to Dec 45 if you need anything from it
Alan

[sandiego]

Thanks, answered my own question as he had flown some of the same ops as my Uncle. I am sure now Fleming was on 61 sqn before 156. The orbs had three different initials. He was on the Dashper crew from about 13th Nov 1942

Lancaster W4899 QR- 61 Sgt Dashper F. Capt
Sgt Faraday W. F/E
Sgt Watkins H. Nav
Sgt Carr K.S. A/B
Sgt Daniels D.C. WT/Ag
Sgt Fleming M. AG1
Sgt Staves A.W. AG2

I was able to correct my data accordingly for my book about the Skoda raid 16th April 43

http://airforce.ca/uploads/airforce/200 ... HA-FL.html

Regards Peter

[Merlin]

Thanks, answered my own question as he had flown some of the same ops as my Uncle. I am sure now Fleming was on 61 sqn before 156. The orbs had three different initials. He was on the Dashper crew from about 13th Nov 1942

Lancaster W4899 QR- 61 Sgt Dashper F. Capt
Sgt Faraday W. F/E
Sgt Watkins H. Nav
Sgt Carr K.S. A/B
Sgt Daniels D.C. WT/Ag
Sgt Fleming M. AG1
Sgt Staves A.W. AG2

I was able to correct my data accordingly for my book about the Skoda raid 16th April 43

http://airforce.ca/uploads/airforce/200 ... HA-FL.html

Regards Peter

Peter - I know a pilot who was on 61 Squadron who from memory served on 61 from about the same period. I will make some enquiries and ask if he recalls Sgt Dashper.
Regards Merlin

[sandiego]

I would love to know who your 61 sqn friend is. My Uncle was KIA with 61 on 17th April 1943 aboard Lanc W4317 QR-R. By the way I was in contact with Dashper several years ago when researching for my book. A great man. Don't know if he is still around though.

regards Peter