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SECOND SUPPLEMENT TO The London Gazette Of FRIDAY, the nth of FEBRUARY, 1943 published by /tatyorftp Registered as a newspaper TUESDAY, 16 FEBRUARY, 1943

CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS of more than 500 miles, mostly over heavily OF KNIGHTHOOD. defended territory. Close co-ordination and precise St. James's Palace, S.W.I, i6th February, 1943. timing were essential but, such was the skill exhibited, that the target was reached and the The KING has been graciously pleased to approve attacks delivered within seconds of the specified the award of the British Empire Medal (Military time. That complete success was achieved, despite Division) to: — opposition from the ground defences, is a high Aus.410106 Sergeant Ernest George Thompson, tribute to the calm courage, resolution and en- Royal Australian . durance displayed by the following officers and On the 8th September, 1942, Sergeant Thompson airmen who, hi various capacities, acted as mem- was of an aircraft performing air exer- bers of the aircraft crews: — cises at a bombing and 'gunnery school. After completing the exercises the aircraft stalled, Distinguished Service Order. crashed and burst into flames. As it struck the Reginald Wilfred REYNOLDS, ground, Sergeant Thompson leapt clear and went D.F.C. (40259), No. 105 Squadron. to the assistance of the pilot, who was trapped Distinguished Flying Cross. in the blazing aircraft. He was unable to release the pilot from the starboard side and ran to the Flight John GORDON (86721), Royal Air port side. The wreckage was burning fiercely but Force Volunteer Reserve, No., 105 Squadron. Sergeant Thompson went without hesitation into Flying Ralph Gamble HAYES (120087), Royal the midst of the flames in a further attempt to Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 105 Squadron. extricate the pilot. He struggled violently with Reginald Charles MORRIS (119221), . the wreckage out could not effect the release of Volunteer Reserve, No. 139 the pilot, who was burned to death. Sergeant Squadron. Thompson had received second .decree burns to Flying Officer Antony Trelawney WICKHAM (103011),. the face and third degree burns to the hands and Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 105 had continued his courageous efforts until ordered Squadron. to the ambulance even then he expressed a desire Pilot Officer William Edward Dennis MAKIN to return to the wreckage and resume the attempt (124936), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,. to release the pilot. No. 105 Squadron. Pilot Officer Edward Barnes SISMORE (130208), 1071522 Oscar Skelton, Royal Air Force. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 105 During an attack on a Royal Air Force Station Squadron. by 2 enemy aircraft one morning in July, 1942, ' four bombs fell in residential quarters. Corporal Distinguished Flying Medal. Skelton was billeted in a house nearly opposite N.Z.4ii98g Flight .Sergeant Peter John Dickson to the place where the first bomb exploded and McGEEHAN, Royal New Zealand Air Force, No. 139, immediately went to the spot and brought out two Squadron. injured civilians from demolished houses. He 1382236 Sergeant Richard Charles FLETCHER, No. 139 subsequently displayed outstanding courage in ex- Squadron. tinguishing a fire beneath the rubble. To achieve 1087498 Sergeant Joseph MASSEY, No. 139 Squadron. this he twice "crawled through a hole in the wreck- age and in so doing showed complete disregard for his own safety in view of the overhanging debris Air Ministry, i6th February, 1943. which was likely to collapse and bury him. Corporal Skelton received minor injuries and ROYAL AIR FORCE. finally collapsed after his strenuous efforts; he was The KING has been graciously pleased to approve removed to hospital for treatment He displayed the following awards in recognition of gallantry dis- high courage and determination throughout. played in flying operations against the enemy: — Bar to Distinguished Service Order. 'Air Ministry, i6th February/' 1943. Group Laurence Frank SINCLAIR, G.C., ROYAL AIR FORCE. C.B.E., D.S.O. This officer commands a light bomber wing which The KING has been graciously pleased to approve commenced operations in North Africa in Novem- the following awards in recognition of gallantry ber, 1942. He has led his squadrons on numerous displayed in flying operations against the enemy: — sorties, involving low level attacks on enemy tar- On the 3Oth January, -1943, two forces of ' gets in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and bombers were detailed to attack Berlin, one dur- fighter opposition. His inspiring leadership and ing the morning and the other during the after- courageous example have--been reflected in the fine noon. To reach the German capital necessitated a fighting spirit of the squadrons he commands.