169 Squadron Photograph

It is believed that the above photograph is of Pilots and Navigators from 169 Squadron and was probably taken before the 9th July 1944. This was the date on which Fg Off. Robert Philip Tidy was granted leave before being posted to RCAF ‘R’ Deport for return to Canada.

The aircraft behind the group was a Mosquito FB.VI. The Squadron was also equipped with the Mosquito NF.XIX which had a radar installation in place of the four machine guns but retained its cannons.

Left to Right: Back Row: P/O H. Reed, F/O W.J. Logan, F/LT D.C. Dunn, F/O R.P. Tidy. F/O Drew;

Middle Row: P/O P.A.J. Dils, F/SGT Hayes, F/O P.W. Kemmis, F/SGT Giles, F/O Watts. P/O Robinson, F/O R.W. O’Farrell;

Front Row: F/LT Connolly, F/LT R.G. Woodman, S/LDR J.A.H. Cooper, F/O G.D. Cremer, F/LT A.P. Mellows. (Both photographs Courtesy of David W. P. Smith)

Back Row Left to Right:

Name: Harold ‘Harry’ Reed

Rank: Pilot Officer (Plt Off)

Number: 171672

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Pilot

Awards: DFC

Service History:

1060977 Flt Sgt. Harry Reed was granted a commission and promoted to acting Plt Off. on probation with effect from the 29th November 1943. London Gazette dated 21st March 1944.

Plt Off. Reed’s promotion was confirmed in appointments and to be Fg Off. (War Substantive) on the 28th May 1944 London Gazette dated 7th July 1944.

Posted to 51 Operational Training Unit (OTU) on the 11th December 1944.

Plt Off. Reed was awarded the DFC whilst with 169 Sqn. London Gazette 27th March 1945.

Promoted to Flt Lt. (War Substantive) on the 28th November 1945. London Gazette 18th December 1945.

Confirmed as Flt Lt. with effect the 28th May 1947. London Gazette 20th June 1947.

Flt Lt. Reed DFC was granted seniority with effect the 28th November 1944. London Gazette 25th February 1947.

Flt Lt. Reed DFC was transferred to the reserve (Class A) on the 28th February 1950. London Gazette 14th March 1950.

Biographical Information:

DoB: Believed to be 12th August 1920

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Flew with Fg Off. S.J. Watts

Name: William James Logan

Rank: Flying Officer (Fg Off)

Number: 147102

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Navigator

Awards: None

Service History:

1109121 LAC William James Logan was granted a commission and promoted to acting Plt Off. on probation with effect from the 6th August 1943. London Gazette 5th November 1943.

Promoted to Fg Off. (War substantive) on the 10th February 1944. London Gazette 29 Feb 1944.

Promoted to Flt Lt. (War substantive) on the 10th August 1944. London Gazette 11th September 1945.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Flew with Flt Lt. D.C. Dunn DFC

Name: Donald Campbell Dunn

Rank: Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt)

Number: 107276

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Pilot

Awards: DFC

Service History:

989137 Sgt. Donald Campbell Dunn was granted a commissioned and promoted to Fg Off. on probation with effect the 16th August 1941. London Gazette 28th October 1941.

Promoted to Fg Off. on the 16th August 1942. London Gazette 22nd September 1942.

Acting Flt Lt. Dunn was awarded the DFC, whilst with 150 Sqn. London Gazette 9th February 1943. Citation posted later in the London Gazette 30th April 1943. “Acting Flight Lieutenant Donald Campbell Dunn DFC (107276), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 150 Squadron, Citation reads: “In Operations in North Africa this officer has completed many sorties. On one occasion he led a formation of aircraft in an attack on an important enemy airfield with great success. Flight Lieutenant Dunn. who has displayed outstanding tactical ability, has invariably pressed home his attacks with great vigour, setting a most inspiring example”.

Promoted to Flt Lt. (War Substantive) on the 16th August 1943. London Gazette 7th September 1943.

Posted to RAF Great Massingham on the 12th December 1944.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Flew with Fg Off. W.J. Logan

Name: Robert Philip Tidy

Rank: Flying Officer (Fg Off)

Number: J19874

Air Force: RCAF

Role: Pilot

Awards: None

Service History:

Granted permission to marry Muriel Dorothy Dace on the 22nd March 1944.

Plt Off. R.P. Tidy was posted to RCAF ‘R’ (Repatriation) Depot at RAF Houghton Green, Warrington on the 26th July 1944.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Flew with WO. L.W.J. Giles

Name: Sydney Leonard Drew

Rank: Flying Officer (Fg Off)

Number: 84611

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Navigator

Awards: DFC

Service History:

Sydney Leonard Drew was granted a commission in the Accountant Branch and promoted to acting Plt Off on the 31st August 1940. London Gazette 27th September 1940.

Acting Plt Off. on probation was graded as Plt Off. on the 11th October 1940. London Gazette 3rd December 1940.

Plt Off. on probation to be confirmed on the 31st August 1941. London Gazette 25th November 1941.

Fg Off. Drew relinquished his rank in the Accountants Branch and transferred to General Duties Branch in rank of Plt Off. on the 28th July 1942. London Gazette 13th November 1942.

Promoted to Flt Lt. (War Substantive) on the 28th January 1943. London Gazette 28th May 1943.

Promoted to Flt Lt. (War Substantive) on the 28th July 1944. London Gazette 18th August 1944.

Awarded the DFC whilst with 169 Sqn. London Gazette 20th March 1945.

Flight Lieutenant Sydney Leonard Drew (84611),RAFVR, 169 Sqn. Flight Lieutenant Alfred Paul Mellows (122223), RAFVR, 169 Sqn. Citation reads: “These officers have completed a large number of sorties in the capacity of navigator and pilot of aircraft respectively. During these operations they have displayed commendable skill and courage in pressing home their attacks on various targets, including a number of locomotives. They have also shot down 2 enemy aircraft. The second of these was destroyed one night in Feb, 1945. On this occasion, the attack was pressed home from such close range that, when the enemy aircraft exploded in the air, their own aircraft was damaged. Nevertheless, Flight Lieutenant Mellows flew it back to base. Both he and his fellow crew have always displayed the greatest keenness for operations”.

Fighter claims – See (1) below

He relinquished his commission and was granted permission to retain rank as stated; Flt Lt. retaining rank of Sqn Ldr. on the 1st February 1954. London Gazette June 1954.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Flew with Flt Lt. A.P. Mellows

Middle Row Left to Right:

Name: Pierre A. Jean Dils

Rank: Pilot Officer (Plt Off)

Number: 170858

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Pilot

Awards: DFC

Service History:

Fg Off. Dils was granted permission to marry Linda Ethel Baker on the 22nd January 1945.

Attached to RAF Swanton Morley on the 12th March 1945.

Posted to RAF (Belgian) Training School on the 3rd May 1945.

Flt Lt. P.A.J. Dils relinquished his commission on the 14th September 1946. London Gazette 1st October 1946.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Belgian National. Flew with Fg Off. H. Robinson

Name: Henry Joseph Hayes

Rank: Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt)

Number: 1112082

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Navigator (Observer):

Awards: None

Service History:

1112082 WO. Henry Joseph Hayes was commissioned and promoted to 172794 Plt Off. on the 22nd January 1944. London Gazette 11th April 1944.

Promoted to Fg Off. on the 17th July 1944. London Gazette 8th August 1944 and posted to 23 Sqn on 8th August 1944.

Awarded the Order of Leopold II with Palme and Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palme. London Gazette 24th June 1947.

Relinquished his commission of Fg Off. retaining rank on the 8th May 1958. London Gazette 8th July 1958.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes:

Name: Patrick William Kemmis

Rank: Flying Officer (Fg Off)

Number: 118368

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Navigator

Awards: DFC

Service History:

1312906 Sgt. Patrick William Kemmis granted a commission and promoted to Plt Off. on probation with effect the 2nd March 1942. London Gazette 28th August 1942

Promoted to Fg Off. (War Substantive) on the 1st October 1942. London Gazette 20th November 1942

Fg Off. Kemmis was posted to 96 Sqn and was the Observer aboard Beaufighter VIF V8438 which crashed killing his pilot.

Flt Lt. Kemmis was awarded the DFC whilst with 169 Sqn. London Gazette 9th June 1944.

Flight Lieutenant Patrick William Kemmis (118368), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 169 Squadron. Flight Lieutenant Ronald George Woodman (69464), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 169 Squadron. Citation Reads: “As navigator and pilot respectively these officers have participated in many sorties and have set a fine example of skill, perseverance and zeal. They have displayed the greatest keenness to engage the enemy and have destroyed 4 hostile aircraft at night.”

Fighter claims - see (1) below

Promoted to Sqn Ldr. (War Substantive) on the 1st March 1944. London Gazette 18th April 1944.

Posted to Fighter Interception Unit (FIU) renamed as the Fighter Interception Development Sqn (FIDS) on the 20th October 1944.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Flew with Flt Lt. R.G. Woodman DFC

Name: Leonard William John Giles

Rank: Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt)

Number: 657801

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Navigator

Awards: None

Service History:

Promoted to Warrant Officer (WO) on the 1st May 1944

No further information found

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Flew with Plt Off. R.P. Tidy

Name: Stewart James Watts

Rank: Flying Officer (Fg Off)

Number: 155172

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Navigator

Awards: None

Service History:

658200 Flt Sgt. Stewart James Watts was commissioned and promoted to Plt Off. on the 3rd July 1943. London Gazette 21st September 1943.

Promoted to Fg Off. on the 3rd January 1944. London Gazette 7th January 1944.

Posted to 51 Operational Training Unit (OTU) on the 11th December 1944.

Promoted to Flt Lt. (War substantive) on the 3rd July 1945. London Gazette 24th July 1945.

Commissioned relinquished and appointed to Flt Lt. in the RAuxAF on the 6th March 1954.

Extension of service for a period of 2 years with effect 6th March 1959. London Gazette 28th April 1959.

Promoted to Flt Lt. on the 19th July 1959. London Gazette 25th September 1959.

Extension of service for a period of 2 years with effect 6th March 1961. London Gazette 13th June 1961.

Transferred to the Reserve on the 6th March 1963. London Gazette 30th April 1963.

Commission relinquished on the 6th March 1964. London Gazette 10th March 1964.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Flew with Plt Off. H. Reed

Name: Horace Robinson

Rank: Flying Officer (Fg Off)

Number: 161759

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Navigator

Awards: None

Service History:

1455972 Flt Sgt. Horace Robinson was commissioned and promoted to Fg Off. on the 4th October 1943 (seniority 15th October 1943). London Gazette 4th January 1944.

Promoted to Fg Off. on the 15th April 1944. London Gazette 5th May 1944.

Promoted to Flt Lt. on the 15th October 1945. London Gazette 9th November 1945.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Flew Flew with Fg Off. P.A.J. Dils

Name: Richard William O’Farrell

Rank: Flying Officer (Fg Off)

Number: 81735

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Navigator

Awards: None

Service History:

752164 AC1 Richard William O’Farrell in the Administration and Special Duties Branch was granted a commission and promoted to Acting Plt Off. on probation on the 15th July 1940 (Seniority 17th June 1940). London Gazette 30th July 1940.

Promoted to Fg Off on probation on the 18th July 1940. London Gazette 22nd October 1940

Promoted to Fg Off. on the 27th March 1941. London Gazette 1st August 1941

Relinquished rank of Fg Off. and transferred to General Duties Branch as Plt Off. on the 18th November 1942. London Gazette 2nd February 1943

Promoted to Fg Off. (War Substantive) on the 30th June 1942. London Gazette 27th July 1943.

Posted to 62 Operational Training Unit (OTU) on the 25th October 1944.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Flew with Flt Lt. G.D. Cramer

Front Row Left to Right:

Name: Ralph Dennis Connolly

Rank: Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt)

Number: 120573

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Navigator

Awards: None

Service History:

1160223 Sgt. Ralph Dennis Connolly was granted a commission and promoted to Plt Off. on the 7th January 1942. London Gazette 5th May 1942.

Promoted to Fg Off. (War substantive) on the 1st October 1942. London Gazette 20th November 1942.

Promoted to Flt Lt. (War Substantive) on the 9th January 1944. London Gazette 14th January 1944.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Flew with Sqn Ldr. J.A.H. Cooper

Name: Ronald George ‘Tim’ Woodman

Rank: Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt)

Number: 69464

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Pilot

Awards: DSO, DFC

Service History:

1167403 LAC Ronald George Woodman granted a commission and promoted to Plt Off on the 22nd February 1941. London Gazette 18th July 1941.

Confirmed Fg Off. (War Substantive) on the 22nd February 1942. London Gazette 24th March 1942.

Promoted to Flt Lt. (War Substantive) on the 22nd February 1943. London Gazette 23th March 1943

Flt Lt. Woodman was awarded the DFC whilst with 169 Sqn. London Gazette 9th June 1944.

Flight Lieutenant Patrick William Kemmis (118368),Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 169 Squadron. Flight Lieutenant Ronald George Woodman (69464), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 169 Squadron. Citation Reads: “As observer and pilot respectively these officers have participated in many sorties and have set a fine example of skill, perseverance and zeal. They have displayed the greatest keenness to engage the enemy and have destroyed 4 hostile aircraft at night.”

Fighter claims - see (1) below

Extended service - 4 years on active list on the 17th February 1947. (Seniority wef 1st January 1943) . London Gazette 21st March 1943.

Acting Sqn Ldr R.G. Woodman was awarded DSO on the 13th April 1945. London Gazette 10th April 1945 with 169 sqn

Recalled to active list on the 14th May 1947. London Gazette 25th March 1947.

Sqn Ldr. temporary - Flt Lt. (War Substantive) on the 18th March 1944. London Gazette 12th October 1948.

Promoted to Sqn Ldr. (Substantive) on the 1st August 1947. London Gazette 5th August 1947.

Transferred to Reserve and called up for Air Force Service as a Sqn Ldr. on the 17th February 1951. London Gazette 20th February 1951.

Revision to the Reserve Sqn Ldr R.G. Woodman DSO, DFC on the 17th February 1952. London Gazette 21st March 1952.

Extension of service - 3 years on the 17th February 1955. London Gazette 29th March 1955.

Extension of service - 5 years on reserve list on the 17th February 1958. London Gazette 7th March 1958.

Commission relinquished, retraining his rank on the 17th February 1963. London Gazette 8th March 1963.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Flew with Flt Lt. P.W. Kemmis

Name: Joseph Aloysius Hayes Cooper

Rank: Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr)

Number: 40208

Air Force: RAF

Role: Pilot

Awards: AFC

Service History:

Promoted from acting Plt Off. under probation to Fg Off. on the 23rd February 1940. London Gazette 5th March 1940.

Promoted to Flt Lt. (war Substantive) on the 23th February 1941. London Gazette 21st March 1941.

Promoted to temp Sqn Ldr. on the 1st June 1942. London Gazette 2nd July 1942.

Transferred to the Reserve (RAFO) and called up for Air Force Service as Flt Lt. (temp Sqn Ldr.) on the 23rd August 1943. London Gazette 20th November 1945.

Posted to RAF Great Massingham on the 12th October 1944.

Acting Sqn Ldr. was awarded the AFC on the 13th June 1946. London Gazette 4th June 1946.

Fighter claims - see (1) below

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Flew with Flt Lt. R.D. Connolly

Name: Gordon Douglas Cremer

Rank: Flying Officer (Fg Off)

Number: 122939

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Pilot

Awards: AFC and Bar

Service History:

1383926 Sgt. Gordon Douglas Cremer was granted a commission and promoted to Plt Off. on the 7th March 1942. London Gazette 23rd June 1942.

Promoted to Fg Off. (War Substantive) on the 1st October 1942. London Gazette 20th November 1942.

As a Fg Off. extended service – 4 years on permanent list. (seniority 7th March 1943) with effect the 15th May 1947. London Gazette 9th September 1947.

Promoted to Flt Lt. (War Substantive) on the 7th March 1944. London Gazette 21st March 1944.

Posted to 51 Operational Training Unit (OTU) on the 31st October 1944.

Flt Lt. Substantive 16th May 1947 (seniority 7th September 1945). London Gazette 3rd October 1947.

Appointed to Flt Lt. permanent on the 19th October 1948. London Gazette 15th April 1949.

Awarded an AFC on the 1st January 1952. London Gazette 1st January 1952.

Promoted Sqn Ldr. on the 1st July 1953. London Gazette 30th June 1953.

Awarded a Bar to AFC on the 10th June 1954. London Gazette 10th June 1954.

Sqn Ldr. Cremer AFC, Awarded Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air (12th June 1958). London Gazette 3rd June 1958.

Retired as a Sqn Ldr. on the 9th February 1959. London Gazette 24th February 1959.

Fighter claims – see (1) below

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Flew with Fg Off. R.W. O’Farrell

Name: Alfred Paul Mellows

Rank: Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt)

Number: 122223

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Pilot

Awards: DFC

Service History:

1438489 Sgt. Alfred Paul Mellows was granted a commission and promoted to Plt Off on the 14th March 1942. London Gazette 9th June 1942.

Promoted to Fg Off on Probation (War Substantive) on the 1st October 1942. London Gazette 4th December 1942.

Plt Off (On Probation) confirmed and to Fg Off (War Substantive) on the 14th March 1944. London Gazette 28th March 1944.

As a Flt Lt. he was awarded the DFC. London Gazette 20th March 1945.

Flight Lieutenant Sydney Leonard Drew (84611), RAFVR, 169 Sqn. Flight Lieutenant Alfred Paul Mellows (122223), RAFVR, 169 Sqn. Citation reads: “These officers have completed a large number of sorties in the capacity of navigator and pilot of aircraft respectively. During these operations they have displayed commendable skill and courage in pressing home their attacks on various targets, including a number of locomotives. They have also shot down 2 enemy aircraft. The second of these was destroyed one night in Feb, 1945. On this occasion, the attack was pressed home from such close range that, when the enemy aircraft exploded in the air, their own aircraft was damaged. Nevertheless, Flight Lieutenant Mellows flew it back to base. Both he and his: fellow crew have always displayed the greatest keenness for operations.”

Fighter claims - see (1) below

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Flew with Flt Lt. S.L. Drew

(1) Fighter Claims

Above table of German aircraft claimed by 169 Squadron pilots. (Ref 1 Chapter six)

Reference:

1. 100 Group (Bomber Support) RAF Bomber Command in World War II – Martin Bowman – ISBN 1844154181.

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Researched and complied by Ralph Snape for Aircrew remembered and dedicated to the crew and their families.

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