832 THE LONDON GAZETTE, n FEBRUARY, 1941 despite considerable opposition from enemy Air Ministry, fighters, one being shot down. Ten days nth February, £941. later he made a successful attack on enemy ROYAL AIR FORCE. • objectives during a blinding snowstorm. He has taken part in over forty raids, many of The KING has been graciously pleased to which have been carried out in appalling approve the following awards: — weather conditions and against severe enemy opposition. As senior flight commander he Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. has consistently shown himself to be a Wing Commander William Taylor Freest leader of great skill, courage and determina- WIGHTMAN (26129), No. 94 Squadron. tion. Squadron Leader Robert Alfred MILWARD Flying Officer Ernest Mitchelson Mason (40734), (37201), No. 30 Squadron. Squadron Leader John Anthony Hustler TUCK No. 274 Squadron. (33101), No. 58 Squadron. In January, 1941, this officer destroyed Flight Lieutenant David William DONALDSON three of a formation of nine enemy aircraft. (70185), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, He has continually shown a fine fighting spirit No. 149 Squadron. and has contributed materially to the heavy Flight Lieutenant Graham Reese MAGILL losses caused to enemy aircraft. He has (39236), Reserve of Air Force Officers, No. 47 shown outstanding courage and initiative and Squadron. has destroyed at least thirteen hostile aircraft. Flight Lieutenant Percy Rodney O'CONNOR Flying Officer Adrian Warburton (41635), No. (39641), No. 214 Squadron. 431 Flight. Flight Lieutenant Victor Roberton PATERSON This officer has carried out numerous long (37478), Reserve of Air Force Officers, No. distance reconnaissance flights and has taken 78 Squadron. part in night air combats. In October, 1940, Flight Lieutenant Marmaduke Thomas St. John he destroyed an aircraft and again, in De- PATTLE (39029), No. 80 Squadron. cember, he shot down an enemy bomber in Flight Lieutenant Edward Maurice WARE flames. Flying Officer Warburton has at all (36096), No. 228 Squadron. times displayed a fine sense of devotion to Acting Flight Lieutenant Philipp Richardson duty. CROMPTON (72250), Royal Air Force Volun- teer Reserve, No. 9 Squadron. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. Acting Flight Lieutenant Leslie CROOKS 745736 Sergeant Frank Bastard, Royal Air (44054), No. 58 Squadron. Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 431 Flight. Acting Flight Lieutenant John James McKAY This airman was observer of an aircraft the (40404), No. 102 Squadron. pilot of which was injured and rendered un- Acting Flight Lieutenant Donald Gordon conscious causing him to fall forward over the OGILVIE (40010), No. 44 Squadron. . control column. Sergeant Bastard, how- Flying Officer Eric Gordon BARWELL (77454), ever, managed to take over the control and Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 204 flew the aircraft level until the pilot re- Squadron. covered. He subsequently assisted the pilot, Flying Officer Richard Melville CURTIS (42200), whose left arm was useless, by manipulating No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron. the throttle when landing on the aerodrome. Flying Officer William Twiston DAVIES (42204), His actions were instrumental in saving the No. 51 Squadron. aircraft and crew. He has also been engaged Flying Officer Leslie Oscar HALLS (76009), in numerous combats with enemy fighters and Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 49 has at all times displayed exceptional keen- Squadron. ness and set a fine example. Flying Officer Michael James Carr HARWOOI> 776201 Sergeant Kenneth Murrell, Royal Air (40824), No. 83 Squadron. Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 237 (Rhodesia) Flying Officer Gordie Keith LARNEY (33582), Squadron. No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron. On the 4th January, 1941, this airman was Flying Officer John Douglas MUNDY (41866), air gunner of an aircraft which led dive- No. 83 Squadron. bombing attacks on enemy objectives. Flying Officer Colin Guy Champion RAWLINS Heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered and, (72510), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 144 Squadron. on pulling out of the second dive, Sergeant Flying Officer Roderick Malachi Seaburne Murrell was hit in the knee by a piece of RAYNER (401^8), No. 87 Squadron. shrapnel which he removed with a screw- Flying Officer Kenneth William TAIT (40441), driver. He then began to deal with a fire No. 87 Squadron. which had broken out. He discovered that the Flying Officer Philip Hampden TIFPETTS- airscrew covers had evidently been lighted AYLMER (41333), No. 51 Squadron. by hot shrapnel and had flared up as a result Flying Officer Peter John VALACHOS (41225), of the increased draught in the rear cockpit. No. 99 Squadron. He threw these covers overboard and beat Flying Officer Michael Hugh YOUNG (42040), out with his hands the smouldering fire which No. 264 Squadron. had extended to the bomb-aimer's breast rest. Acting Flying Officer Harry Albert GOODWIN The pilot had signalled to him to land by (79573), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, parachute, but he declined the invitation and No. 7"> (New Zealand) Squadron. continued to deal with the fire. The pilot Pilot Officer Peter Edward BERRY (42480), No. then landed and the fire was extinguished by 9 Squadron. water, and the aircraft flown safely back to Pilot Officer Geoffrey Wilson O'Neill FISHER base. Sergeant Murrell displayed courage, (42560), No. 149 Squadron. initiative and devotion to duty of a high Pilot Officer Douglas Ferguson LAMB (42614), order. No. 9 Squadron.