Military History Encyclopedia Forum

Bullet21 · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:23 pm Post subject: My Grandad--My Hero

Hello from Western Canada. My Grandad recently passed away and I was left a box containing anything he had relating to his time serving during WWII. He never liked to discuss what happened "Over There" other than to urge all his kids & grandkids to be ready to stand and serve, but pray we would never need to. I followed his lead and served 20 yrs with the Canadian Armed Forces. When I was quite young he had introduced me to the hobby of building scale models, and now that I am semi-retired I have more time for this. I am here now seeking any information regarding him , and in particular, the aircraft he flew. I am seeking this info because after looking through this box I have discovered a medal we never knew he had and it inspired me to build a model of the aircraft he was flying when he earned it. The medal is The Distinguished Flying Cross and so far I have learned that he earned it while serving with No. 37 Squadron RAF during a bombing raid on the Ploesti oil refineries in August 1944. I have committed myself to building a model of the aircraft he was flying during that particular mission so I am here now seeking info regarding exactly which plane he was in, and the unit markings and reg. no. of it. I believe it was either a Wellington or Liberator. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated as I build this tribute to not only All Who Served, but to My Grandad--My Hero. Thanks in advance, Dennis.

JohnRickardJR · Site Admin Joined: 14 Nov 2004 Posts: 2609 : Items

In August 1944 No.37 Squadron was flying the Wellington Mk X with squadron code LF.
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Bullet21 · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 7:39 pm Post subject:

Thanks John, your help is greatly appreciated.
I'm new to this computer-internet thing so I'm sort of stumbling along taking stabs in the dark. Would you happen to know how I might be able to find any more info on No.37 Sqdr. and the specific aircraft they flew?
This build is snowballing from a simple out-of-the-box build into a detailed replica of one specific airplane on one specific mission. I am hoping to get right down to the registration number painted on the tail and even the overall paint scheme of that aircraft.
Again, I thank you for any and all help you may lend me on this project.
Regards, Dennis.

cyclingbill · Joined: 16 Feb 2012 Posts: 1 : Location: Basingstoke Items

Dennis, I have only just joined the forum, so hence the late reply. If you contact the UK National Archives they hold the medal records and may be able to supply you with the citation. You will need his name, rank and number.
The National Archives Kew
You could also try the Royal Air force Museum,Hendon archives
Bill