Halifax JD120 damaged by flak, returned to Melbourne airfield.

On the night of 11th / 12th June 1943 the crew of this 10 Squadron aircraft took off from Melbourne airfield at 23.30hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Dusseldorf. They bombed the target area at 02.02hrs from 18,000 feet on the PFF target markers but just after leaving the target area the aircraft received minor flak damage to the nose of the aircraft. Despite the damage the crew managed to make the return to base and landed at Melbourne at 04.35hrs. This was one of six 10 Squadron Halifaxes damaged on this night.

Pilot - Sgt Ronald Charles Williams RAFVR (1377791).

Navigator - Sgt Joseph Hooson RAFVR (1206791).

Bomb Aimer - Sgt Eric John Stone RAFVR (1332888).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt R H G Wray.

Air Gunner - Sgt R C Redman RAFVR (914991).

Flight Engineer - Sgt William Laverick RAF (545207).

Air Gunner - Sgt Henry Hutchinson Lewis McDaniel RCAF.

On 5th April 1943 the first six names above were flying Halifax DT785 when it crashed near Thornaby airfield without injury to any of the crew. On 29th December 1943 F/O Williams DFC (146333), Sgt Laverick DFM, P/O Hooson DFM (158427) and F/O Stone DFC were killed when their 35 Squadron Halifax HR986 crashed near Doberitz, they were initially buried locally but now lay in Berlin War Cemetery. Sgt Redman survived and became a PoW.

Ronald Williams had trained at 20 EFTS at Yeadon and while there he was the pilot of Tiger Moth T7051 that force landed near Harrogate on 28th August 1941. He later received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 10th May 1943 and rose to F/O on probation (war subs) on 10th November 1943. His DFC was Gazetted after his death on 18th January 1944 and for service with 35 Squadron.

Joseph Hooson received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 30th August 1943.

William Laverick was awarded the DFM for service with 35 Squadron, Gazetted on 16th November 1943.

Eric Stone received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 10th May 1943. He was awarded the DFC for service with 35 Squadron Gazetted on 16th November 1943.

Henry McDaniel was awarded the DFC for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th September 1943. The citation was also fairly detailed.. "Pilot Officer McDaniel, an outstanding member of a particularly successful crew, has consistently displayed keenness and devotion to duty, showing complete fearlessness in the face of danger. His aircraft has been badly damaged on at least six occasions and has also been involved in two crashes. Despite these trying experiences this officer has continued to operate with undiminished ardour, efficiency and enthusiasm."

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