My Dad passed away a few years ago but even though he is gone I still say "Thanks" to him and all the service personnel who fought for our freedom in the great Worlds Wars I and II.
My Dad was a Pilot/Navigator in the RCAF in WWII. He flew in a Liberator Plane shown below. He was stationed in Egypt, India and Ceylon with the 160 Squadron RAF. In Ceylon, they were in the jungle, the air fields cut right into the middle of it. These big planes had scarce room to land.
- 160 Squadron was originally formed at Thurleigh in England on Jan. 16, 1942.
- The ground crew were posted to the India on February 12, 1942, arriving without their aircraft.
- The squadron's aircraft were flown to Palestine in early June, 1942, from where they carried out raids on Lybia and Crete.
- Aircraft started leaving for India in October; some aircraft remained and were absorbed into 178 Sqn.
- Initial operations in India were patrols over the Bay of Bengal.
- The squadron moved to Ceylon and was engaged in shipping protection flights, minelaying, and photographic reconnaissance over Sumatra and the Nicobar Islands.
- In June 1945 the squadron converted to special duties, dropping agents and supplies over Malaya and Sumatra.
- After VJ day the squadron carried out transport duties.
- The squadron was returned to England on June 15, 1946 where it briefly converted to Lancaster GR3's until disbandment on Sept. 30, 1946
- The squadron only flew Liberator aircraft; Mk's II, III, V, VI, and VIII during WWII.
The Liberator dropping bombs.
Canadians served with all the SEAC Liberator squadrons.
I found this photo on the net, even though I have an original. This is a photo taken Sept. 12, 1943 at Ratmalana Ceylon of my Dad, his Liberator and his air crew. They were all so young! This whole crew made it home safe though. They were pretty tough back then. He received the Burma and Pacific Star For serving under the South East Asia Command. or SEAC.
Shown are: Sgt. Bruce Taylor, WAG; F/Sgt. Jonny Fallis, Nav.; Sgt. Jack Fudge; Pilot Officer Jerry Boyle, Pilot; Sgt. Jack Roberts, and Sgt. Stan Heffer.
I continued looking for information on Dad and came across this article. So interesting to find info on the net about your Dad and one of the medals he received! At this time he was a Flight Lieutenant.
ROBERTS, F/L J.H. (C1083) - Air Force Cross - No.116 Squadron (Canada) - Award effective 11 June 1942 as per London Gazette dated 11 June 1942 and AFRO 1000-1001/42 dated 3 July 1942. Awarded wings at Camp Borden, 28 February 1940. (Dad was only 20 when he got his wings!)
That sure sounds like my Dad!
So once again, Thank you to all the Canadian men and women who served in the wars, for protecting our country and ensuring myself and my children have remained safe! Thank you to all who continue to do so, so our country can remain free!
