On the night of 30th / 31st May 1942 this aircraft was loaned to 102 Squadron from 102 Conversion Flight and had undertaken the Thousand Bomber operational order to bomb Cologne. R9533 took off at 23.43hrs and attacked the primary target area from 11,500 feet. It was attacked twice by enemy aircraft but the rear gunner returned fire and claimed one as destroyed and the other as damaged. The aircraft also received flak damage in the course of the flight but the pilot was able to bring the aircraft back to Yorkshire and land at (probably at base of Dalton) at 05.47hrs. The rear gunner was later awarded the DFM for his actions, the citation given below adds additional information.
Pilot - S/Ldr Evan Dunstan Griffiths RAF (39729).
Second Pilot - F/Sgt Frederick Francis Duff RCAF (R/78389).
Navigator - P/O Frank Henry Mylrea RCAF (J/15597).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Ronald Gayler RAFVR (1356736).
? - Sgt L J Ward.
Air Gunner - Sgt Thomas Oswald McIlquham RCAF (R/67064).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Albert Edward Waddicor RAF (569701).
Halifax R9533 was built by Handley Page at Radlett and was taken on charge by 102 Squadron on 29th March 1942 at Dalton. The aircraft appears to have been loaned to 102 Conversion Flight fairly early in it's life though any formal transfer on the AM Form 78 did not take place until later in the year. As a result of battle damage on 31st May 1942 Cat.A/FB was probably the damage assessment as the incident is not recorded on the AM Form 78. A formal transfer to 102 Conversion Flight was recorded on 7th November 1942. On 14th January 1943 it was transferred to 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit. A repair on site at Marston Moor was carried out by 60 MU on 14th April 1943 though this appears to be following some form of major inspection rather than a flying accident. It continued to be used by 165 H.C.U. until 8th September 1944 when it appears to have failed another inspection that saw Cat.E damage be the assessment. The aircraft was struck off charge on 18th September 1944.
Thomas McIlquham was born in Carleton Place in 1911, he enlisted into the RCAF in July 1940. He was involved in a number of mishaps before completing a Tour with
102 Squadron for which he was awarded the DFM in July 1942. Hugh Halliday's research states that on one occasion the aircraft he was in blew up and his turret landed
in a haystack saving his life. The citation for the DFM reads.."One night in May this airman was the rear gunner of an aircraft detailed to attack Cologne (the incident above). His
aircraft was attacked by a Focke Wulfe 190. Sergeant McIlquham waited until the fighter was within short range and then opened fire. Upon a second attack being made
he fired a long burst which sent the enemy aircraft spinning to the ground. Later the same night Flight Sergeant McIlquham destroyed another Focke Wulfe 190. One
night in June he was the rear gunner of a bomber detailed to attack Bremen. His aircraft was attacked by a Messerschmitt 109. He fired two bursts and the enemy
aircraft broke away and fell out of control with the engine on fire. Flight Sergeant McInquham is a cool and skilful air gunner whose courage and determination
are an inspiration to the squadron." His award was presented at Buckingham Palace in November 1942, soon after he was posted back to Canada on instructional duties,
102 Squadron veteran Ed Cooke recalls, in an internet posting, this was rumoured to be because he used to take a high powered light with him in the rear turret to
lure enemy aircraft in try and pick them off. He was later commissioned in October 1943 and survived the War. He sadly drowned in January 1956 after trying to rescue
his son after his lorry went through the ice into Mississippi Lake on a fishing trip. He was undoubtably a very skillful air gunner.
F/Sgt Duff was killed on 26th June 1942 when Halifax V9987 failed to return from Ops to Bremen. He is buried at Becklingen War Cemetery, Germany.
Frank Mylrea was awarded the DFC for service with 102 Squadron, Gazetted on 11th August 1942 for service mainly prior to receiving a commission on 20th May 1942 while in the rank of Warrant Officer.
Ronald Gayler was later granted a commission and awarded the DFC for service with 102 Squadron.
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