7 SQDN FLIGHT OFFICER E P Deville 114251

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geoff
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7 SQDN FLIGHT OFFICER E P Deville 114251

Post by geoff »

Can any one help with any information regarding E P Deville flight officer 114251, all that is known is information obtained from the CWGC died 12/6/43 aged 28. it is believe his plane crashed into the sea after returning from a mission

lots of blanks Plane number
Names of Crew
Likely mission and so on
Theletterwriter
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Re: 7 SQDN FLIGHT OFFICER E P Deville 114251

Post by Theletterwriter »

Geoff

There is some additional information that can be gleaned from a variety of sources. From cross referring Bill Chorley’s Bomber Command War Losses of the Second World War 1943 and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site, the crew were as follows : -

F/O Edward Patrick Deville : Pilot
F/Sgt. Thomas James Bainbridge : Flight Engineer
F/Lt. Wilfred Murray Theobald DFC : Navigator
F/Sgt. John Lindsay Wilson : Air Bomber
F/Sgt. John Malcolm Davies : Wireless Operator
F/Sgt. Hugh Humphreys DFM : Gunner
F/Sgt. John Harrington RCAF : Gunner

Bill Chorley’s book records the crew flying a 7 Squadron Stirling Mk.1 R9286 : MG-C on a operation to Munster on 11/12 June 1943. The aircraft took off from Oakington at 23.38 and was fixed at a position 5248N 0213E after which nothing was heard. All of the crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

The Distinguished Flying Cross and How it Was Won by Nick and Carol Carter does not record the text of the DFC citation for F/Lt. Theobald other than it was published in the London Gazette in 9/7/1943.

The DFC citation for F/Sgt. Humphreys is recorded in Ian Tavender’s book The Distinguished Flying Medal Register for the Second World War : -

Humphreys Hugh 533882 Sergeant No. 7 Sqn.
LG 13/7/1943 Sorties 50, Flying hours 305.50 : Air Gunner, Air2/8964.

This NCO has carried out 50 operational sorties as an Air Gunner, most of them against heavily defended targets, eight of these having been with the Pathfinder Force. He has carried out his arduous duties conscientiously and has been a very cool and efficient member of an aircrew. He has throughout shown courage and determination of the highest order.
29th. May 1943

Remarks by Station Commander
This NCO carried out the first of his total of 50 operational sorties by taking part as an Air Gunner in a Hampden in the first daylight attack on Wilhelmshaven. By his coolness and experience as a gunner and by his willingness to help less experienced crews, he has contributed largely to the gunnery efficiency of his unit.

I hope this is of some use to you.

Douglas
geoff
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Re: 7 SQDN FLIGHT OFFICER E P Deville 114251

Post by geoff »

Theletterwriter wrote:Geoff

There is some additional information that can be gleaned from a variety of sources. From cross referring Bill Chorley’s Bomber Command War Losses of the Second World War 1943 and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site, the crew were as follows : -

F/O Edward Patrick Deville : Pilot
F/Sgt. Thomas James Bainbridge : Flight Engineer
F/Lt. Wilfred Murray Theobald DFC : Navigator
F/Sgt. John Lindsay Wilson : Air Bomber
F/Sgt. John Malcolm Davies : Wireless Operator
F/Sgt. Hugh Humphreys DFM : Gunner
F/Sgt. John Harrington RCAF : Gunner

Bill Chorley’s book records the crew flying a 7 Squadron Stirling Mk.1 R9286 : MG-C on a operation to Munster on 11/12 June 1943. The aircraft took off from Oakington at 23.38 and was fixed at a position 5248N 0213E after which nothing was heard. All of the crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

The Distinguished Flying Cross and How it Was Won by Nick and Carol Carter does not record the text of the DFC citation for F/Lt. Theobald other than it was published in the London Gazette in 9/7/1943.

The DFC citation for F/Sgt. Humphreys is recorded in Ian Tavender’s book The Distinguished Flying Medal Register for the Second World War : -

Humphreys Hugh 533882 Sergeant No. 7 Sqn.
LG 13/7/1943 Sorties 50, Flying hours 305.50 : Air Gunner, Air2/8964.

This NCO has carried out 50 operational sorties as an Air Gunner, most of them against heavily defended targets, eight of these having been with the Pathfinder Force. He has carried out his arduous duties conscientiously and has been a very cool and efficient member of an aircrew. He has throughout shown courage and determination of the highest order.
29th. May 1943

Remarks by Station Commander
This NCO carried out the first of his total of 50 operational sorties by taking part as an Air Gunner in a Hampden in the first daylight attack on Wilhelmshaven. By his coolness and experience as a gunner and by his willingness to help less experienced crews, he has contributed largely to the gunnery efficiency of his unit.

I hope this is of some use to you.

Douglas


Thank you Douglas for your information and the speed in which you replied.

The details will be of great help with addition research being undertaken

thank you again take care for now

Geoff
David Theobald
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Re: 7 SQDN FLIGHT OFFICER E P Deville 114251

Post by David Theobald »

Dear Geoff,
My uncle was F/Lt Wilfred Murray Theobald DFC, the Navigator on board of the Stirling Mk1 R9286.
He was a VR with the Pathfinders Group.
Before WW2 he farmed in Koemga in South Africa. Born in Shaldon, Devonshire he was the youngest of a family of 5, his eldest brother John Campbell Theobald, and his 3 sisters, Claire, Mary and Betty. His father was a tea, rubber and sisal farmer in Borneo and Sumatra before WW2.

I have found some more information on my dear uncle but that is rather contradictory.
His Service number was: 116417 but also is listed under 116418?
He was awarded the DFC 430 709 (stated only in the London Gazette of 09-07-1948 with no reference to the bravery he committed), The 1939-1945 Star, The Air Crew Europe Star, The Defence Medal and The War Medal. Unfortenately the DFC medal and ribon are missing and I would so like to have that completed again in his honour.
It was mentioned he crashed whilst on his 29th sortie with 78 Sqdn in a Handley Page Halifax
Then it was also stated that he crashed on the 12-06-1943, and on the 11-12-1943.
On the Runnymeade Memorial it states that he was killed on the 04-04-1943. I would very much like to find a photo of him with the other Crew members. I trust this may throw some more light on the missing. Best regards, David John Egbert Theobald.
Caz1368
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Re: 7 SQDN FLIGHT OFFICER E P Deville 114251

Post by Caz1368 »

Copy of the DFC citation for Flt Lt W M Theobald:

“This officer has completed a large number of operational sorties, many of them on Pathfinder duties. His operational record has been characterised by cool courage and accurate navigation in the face of enemy opposition. This officers success in his duties has been due to careful and accurate planning and disregard of danger in the execution of his plans. Flight Lieutenant Theobald has displayed courage and determination on all occasions.”

Kind regards, Caroline
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