On the night of 25th / 26th June 1943 the crew of this 10 Squadron aircraft took off from Melbourne airfield at 23.20hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Gelsenkirchen. They bombed the target area at 01.34hrs from 18,000 feet on the PFF target markers but while over the target area the aircraft received minor flak damage to the cockpit windscreen. Despite the damage the crew managed to make the return to base and landed at Melbourne at 04.29hrs.
Pilot - F/Lt Edgar Charles Badcoe RAFVR (66001).
Navigator - Sgt Frank Gordon Chell RAFVR (1319190).
Bomb Aimer - P/O Harry Charles Eaton RAFVR (155592).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Denis William George Sharp RAF (631410).
Air Gunner - Sgt John Bompas Mannix RCAF.
Flight Engineer - Sgt D E Lowry (Possibly Dennis Ernest Lowry RAFVR (914068/148097)).
Air Gunner - Sgt Henry Hutchinson Lewis McDaniel RCAF.
Edgar Badcoe received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 23rd December 1940 (with seniority of 6th December 1940). Under the terms of his commission he rose to F/O a year later and to F/Lt a further year later. Following service with 10 Squadron he was poste to 77 Squadron. For service with 77 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 2nd November 1943, the citation for which reads.. "S/Ldr Badcoe has undertaken very many sorties involving attacks on important and well defended targets. He has invariably displayed great keenness and enterprise and his successes have been proved by the many excellent photographs he has obtained. One night in October 1943, he piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Frankfurt. In spite of much difficulty, which occurred in the early stages of the flight, Squadron Leader Badcoe went on to complete his mission. This officer is an inspiring leader, whose courageous example has won great praise." He was then awarded the Bar to the DFC a month later, Gazetted on 10th December 1943 for his actions on 3rd November 1943. The citation for this award reads.. "One night in November 1943, this officer piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Dusseldorf. When nearing the target, the aircraft was attacked by a fighter. The bomber was hit by machine gun fire from the enemy aircraft and temporarily went out of control. Squadron Leader Badcoe regained control, however, and then went on to the target and executed a vigorous attack, afterwards flying the damaged bomber to base. Squadron Leader Badcoe displayed exceptional skill, great coolness and determination, setting an inspiring example.". He remained in the RAF until 1960 retiring in the rank of Wing Commander.
Harry Eaton was killed on 20th January 1944 when 10 Squadron Halifax JD470 crashed in Germany on Ops to Berlin. He is now buried in Berlin War Cemetery. His rank as listed on the CWGC databse is given as being F/Lt but I would suggest that the rank he died in was Acting F/Lt and was confirmed to him as being F/Lt after his death. He had received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 10th May 1943 and rose to F/O six months later. CWGC incorrectly list his trade as being a pilot when infact he was a bomb aimer.
Denis Sharp was awarded the DFM for service with 10 Squadron. Gazetted on 13th August 1943. He later received a commission on 9th February 1944 and rose to F/O six months later.
Frank Chell received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 26th August 1943 and rose to F/O six months later. For service with 77 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, also Gazetted on 2nd June 1944.
John Mannix was born in October 1923 in Saskatchewan, Canada. After service with 10 Squadron he would serve with 429 Squadron and was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 6th November 1945. The recommendation for his DFC, as sourced by Hugh Halliday, stated "Flying Officer Mannix, as air gunner, has completed his second tour of operations. His first tour consisted of twenty-five trips and his second of nineteen, both tours including many sorties to the more heavily defended areas of Germany such as Berlin, Leipzig, Hamburg and Bremen. His displayed fearlessness, coolness and outstanding devotion to duty throughout and has been an inspiration to the team work and efficiency of his crew. His captain has the highest praise for this officer's skill and courage in the face of the enemy. His co-operation has been of great help to the Gunnery Leader and the leading example he has set to the other air gunners is most praiseworthy." He died in November 2011 at North Battleford, Saskatchewan.
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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