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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 18, 2013 19:22:43 GMT 12
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Post by errolmartyn on Jun 18, 2013 19:54:18 GMT 12
From Flight, 4 Jan 1940:
"The Distinguished Flying Medal
CPL. ALEXANDER BICKERSTAFF : During operations over enemy territory
in December, 1939, this airman, as tail gunner, maintained a
steady and accurate fire at all enemy aircraft that came within
range. He himself shot down one Messerschmitt which had engaged
the leader's aircraft at extremely close range. Cpl. Bickerstaff quickly
brought his guns to bear and directed a cool and accurate fire, his
tracer being seen to pass directly through the pilot's position before
the enemy aircraft burst into flames and crashed into the sea."
So long before 75 Sqn was operational.
Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 18, 2013 19:58:29 GMT 12
Great, thanks for that Errol. An interesting story indeed.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 20, 2013 18:25:58 GMT 12
Errol, I had posted the article on the No. 75 Squadron Facebook page at the same time as I posted it here. There, in Glen Turner's reply he stated, "Alex Bickerstaff does not feature in Colin Hanson's list of 75 Sqn members, which includes (NZ FLT)."
Does anyone have any more info on this guy then? Was he RAF? Was he British? Did the media get it wrong by stating he was in the New Zealand Squadron?
Also, when did the NEW ZEALAND shoulder flashes first begin to be used on uniforms by kiwis overseas?
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Post by errolmartyn on Jun 20, 2013 22:17:41 GMT 12
Cpl Alexander Bickerstaff was RAF (enlisted prewar) and his DFM was for action with 99 Sqn. He was not a New Zealander.
The caption in the Auckland Star item has incorrectly identified this New Zealander, below:
From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999:
KNIGHT, Flight Lieutenant Colin Beresford Graham, DFM, (cvsa).
NZ37122 & 70073; Born Tolaga Bay, 7 Jun 1912; NZ Army/TF (Mtd Rifles) 7 yrs; RNZAF 20 Oct 1937 to 7 Jul 1952; Wireless Operator-Air Gunner.
Citation Distinguished Flying Medal (20 Feb 1940): [99 Sqn RAF (Wellington)] During operations off Schillig Roads and Frisian Islands on 14th December, 1939, this airman [then a Corporal] in his capacity as chief wireless operator of the formation succeeded in obtaining valuable bearings from German W/T Stations, and passing all requisite messages to base, including sighting reports of German warships, which were encountered. This work was carried out under the most arduous conditions, and he was constantly disturbed by enemy tracer passing his window. In spite of all distractions he remained absolutely steady throughout. Official History records that on 14 Dec 1939 twelve Wellingtons were briefed to search for the German fleet, believed to be in the vicinity of the Schillig Roads. Sqn Ldr McKee, RAF, of Oxford, NZ, (later Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew McKee) led the formation, only six of which safely returned. His crew included Cpl C B G Knight who, that day, was to win the first decoration for the RNZAF in WWII, a Distinguished Flying Medal.
Citation King’s Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air (KB1948): For valuable services as a wireless operator on No 41 Sqn RNZAF (Dakota). Flt Lt Knight served as Signals Leader 40 Sqn RNZAF, Nov 1943-Nov 1944, including the ferry trip of a Dakota from the US to NZ. In Jun 1945 he was attached to RAF Transport Command operating from Montreal and flying to Newfoundland, Azores, Africa, India, Bermuda, Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad, Natal, Ascension Island, and the passenger service with Liberators from San Diego to Australia. In 1946 he was posted to the UK for duty with 1359(VIP)Flt RAF operating Lancastrians to NZ, Canada and the US. In Sep 1946 he returned to NZ as Signals Leader 41 Sqn RNZAF (Dakota) at Whenuapai where he remained for some years. An original member of the NZ Sqn formed in 1939 to ferry Wellingtons from England to NZ. Seriously injured in a flying accident in the UK Aug 1940. Died Manurewa, 28 Mar 1998.
Knight actually won his DFM for an action with 99 Sqn (I think in the same raid that Bickerstaff won his DFM, hence perhaps the confusion). According to the Hanson/Duxbury nominal roll of 75 Sqn, Knight served with 75 Sqn from 10 September 1940 to 25 January 1941.
Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 20, 2013 22:34:22 GMT 12
Thanks very much. That clears that up.
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