| F/O Frederick
Stuart - RAFVR was piloting Lancaster Mk.II LL-630 coded
OW-TD during an operation to Frankfurt on December 20, 1943
when it was lost with all hands aboard.
The rest of the crew were:
|
Name |
Service |
Trade |
Age |
|
Sgt. Frank Taylor |
RAFVR |
Flight Engineer |
21 |
|
F/L Roderick Dunphy - DFC |
RCAF |
Navigator |
20 |
|
F/O Albert Rudman |
RCAF |
Bomb Aimer |
- |
|
F/O John Flynn |
RAFVR |
W/Op/A/G |
23 |
|
P/O Thomas Hastings |
RAFVR |
Air Gunner |
|
|
F/O George Andrew |
RCAF |
Air Gunner |
|
All are
buried at Rheinberg War Cemetery.
Frederick was the son of
Son of Frederick and Lydia Stuart, husband of Constance
Scope Stuart and father of Sandra of Fourstones,
Northumberland. Prior to the war he and his wife worked as
a solicitor's clerk, he was 27 years old at the time of
his death.
The citation for his
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal put forward by his
squadron CO on the 23rd October reads:
"In a raid on
Leipzig on the night of 20/21st October 1943,,described
by returning airmen as appalling, with sixteen aircraft
failing to return, this airman piloted an aircraft
detailed to attack Leipzig. Before the target was
reached, the aircraft was intercepted by a fighter which
attacked with great persistence. Much damage was
sustained before Flight Sergeant Stuart succeeded in
flying clear. Shortly afterwards,another fighter made a
series of attacks but,with superb skill, Flight
Lieutenant Stuart evaded them. His aircraft was badly
crippled, the cockpits, turrets, hydraulic gear and
other essential equipment were damaged. The petrol tanks
had been pierced and one of the gunners wounded.
Undaunted, this
valiant pilot went on to bomb his target and afterwards
flew the crippled bomber to base where he effected a
masterly landing in the face of heavy odds. This airman
set an example of courage, resolution and devotion to
duty beyond praise."
His Navigator, F/L Roderick
Dunphy was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for the
same operation, his citation reads:
"Flight
Lieutenant Dunphy has taken part in numerous
sorties, the majority of which have been directed against
major German targets. During a mission to Leipzig in
October 1943, his aircraft was twice engaged by enemy
fighters and sustained damage in all seven attacks. The
aircraft suffered severe damage and all the navigational
instruments were destroyed. despite this, F/L Dunphy, by
superb navigation, directed the pilot to the target and
back to base. This officer has invariably shown a high
degree of skill and courage"
|
