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A Second World War 'immediate' D.F.M. group of five awarded to Lancaster mid-upper gunner,...
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Description
A Second World War ‘immediate’ D.F.M. group of five awarded to Lancaster mid-upper gunner, Sergeant F. Webster, 619 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, for his gallantry whilst carrying out mine-laying over The Kattegate, 4 October 1944. On the latter date his Lancaster was attacked and set on fire by an enemy fighter. The fire broke out in the fuselage underneath Webster’s turret, leading to him dropping down to fight the flames with his clothing. The fire was put out, with Webster suffering burns to his face and hands, and his pilot managed to nurse the aircraft home before carrying out a successful crash-landing
Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1377986 Sgt. F. Webster. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, campaign awards all privately engraved ‘1377986 Sgt. F. Webster D.F.M. R.A.F.’, generally very fine or better (5) £1,200-£1,600
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D.F.M. London Gazette 5 December 1944 (jointly listed with his pilot - Flying Officer D. H. Strachan, in his case for the award of the D.F.C.):
‘This officer and airman were captain and mid-upper gunner, respectively of an aircraft detailed for a mine-laying mission in the Kattegat one night in October, 1944. After leaving the target area the aircraft was attacked by a fighter. Flying Officer Strachan manoeuvred with great skill but his aircraft was hit by the enemy’s machine gun fire. A fire commenced in the fuselage below Sergeant Webster’s turret. This airman promptly attacked the flames with extinguishers and beat at the flames with some of his flying clothing. He sustained burns to his face and hands but he continued his efforts and with the assistance of other members of the crew, the fire was finally put out. The aircraft had sustained much damage and was difficult to control. A large hole had been burned in the fuselage. The hydraulic system had been rendered unserviceable and the bomb doors were in the open position. Neverthless, Flying Officer Strachan flew the aircraft to base and executed a successful crash landing. This officer displayed a high degree of skill and determination throughout. Sergeant Webster also proved himself a resolute member of aircraft crew. His promptitude and resource in the emergency set a very fine example.’
Frank Webster served during the Second World War as a mid-upper gunner with 619 Squadron (Lancasters) from Strubby, Lincolnshire. The above mentioned Gardening raid took place on 4 October 1944, and Strachan crash-landed at Carnaby.
Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1377986 Sgt. F. Webster. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, campaign awards all privately engraved ‘1377986 Sgt. F. Webster D.F.M. R.A.F.’, generally very fine or better (5) £1,200-£1,600
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D.F.M. London Gazette 5 December 1944 (jointly listed with his pilot - Flying Officer D. H. Strachan, in his case for the award of the D.F.C.):
‘This officer and airman were captain and mid-upper gunner, respectively of an aircraft detailed for a mine-laying mission in the Kattegat one night in October, 1944. After leaving the target area the aircraft was attacked by a fighter. Flying Officer Strachan manoeuvred with great skill but his aircraft was hit by the enemy’s machine gun fire. A fire commenced in the fuselage below Sergeant Webster’s turret. This airman promptly attacked the flames with extinguishers and beat at the flames with some of his flying clothing. He sustained burns to his face and hands but he continued his efforts and with the assistance of other members of the crew, the fire was finally put out. The aircraft had sustained much damage and was difficult to control. A large hole had been burned in the fuselage. The hydraulic system had been rendered unserviceable and the bomb doors were in the open position. Neverthless, Flying Officer Strachan flew the aircraft to base and executed a successful crash landing. This officer displayed a high degree of skill and determination throughout. Sergeant Webster also proved himself a resolute member of aircraft crew. His promptitude and resource in the emergency set a very fine example.’
Frank Webster served during the Second World War as a mid-upper gunner with 619 Squadron (Lancasters) from Strubby, Lincolnshire. The above mentioned Gardening raid took place on 4 October 1944, and Strachan crash-landed at Carnaby.
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A Second World War ‘immediate’ D.F.M. group of five awarded to Lancaster mid-upper gunner, Sergeant F. Webster, 619 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, for his gallantry whilst carrying out mine-laying over The Kattegate, 4 October 1944. On the latter date his Lancaster was attacked and set on fire by an enemy fighter. The fire broke out in the fuselage underneath Webster’s turret, leading to him dropping down to fight the flames with his clothing. The fire was put out, with Webster suffering burns to his face and hands, and his pilot managed to nurse the aircraft home before carrying out a successful crash-landing
Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1377986 Sgt. F. Webster. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, campaign awards all privately engraved ‘1377986 Sgt. F. Webster D.F.M. R.A.F.’, generally very fine or better (5) £1,200-£1,600
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D.F.M. London Gazette 5 December 1944 (jointly listed with his pilot - Flying Officer D. H. Strachan, in his case for the award of the D.F.C.):
‘This officer and airman were captain and mid-upper gunner, respectively of an aircraft detailed for a mine-laying mission in the Kattegat one night in October, 1944. After leaving the target area the aircraft was attacked by a fighter. Flying Officer Strachan manoeuvred with great skill but his aircraft was hit by the enemy’s machine gun fire. A fire commenced in the fuselage below Sergeant Webster’s turret. This airman promptly attacked the flames with extinguishers and beat at the flames with some of his flying clothing. He sustained burns to his face and hands but he continued his efforts and with the assistance of other members of the crew, the fire was finally put out. The aircraft had sustained much damage and was difficult to control. A large hole had been burned in the fuselage. The hydraulic system had been rendered unserviceable and the bomb doors were in the open position. Neverthless, Flying Officer Strachan flew the aircraft to base and executed a successful crash landing. This officer displayed a high degree of skill and determination throughout. Sergeant Webster also proved himself a resolute member of aircraft crew. His promptitude and resource in the emergency set a very fine example.’
Frank Webster served during the Second World War as a mid-upper gunner with 619 Squadron (Lancasters) from Strubby, Lincolnshire. The above mentioned Gardening raid took place on 4 October 1944, and Strachan crash-landed at Carnaby.
Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1377986 Sgt. F. Webster. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, campaign awards all privately engraved ‘1377986 Sgt. F. Webster D.F.M. R.A.F.’, generally very fine or better (5) £1,200-£1,600
---
D.F.M. London Gazette 5 December 1944 (jointly listed with his pilot - Flying Officer D. H. Strachan, in his case for the award of the D.F.C.):
‘This officer and airman were captain and mid-upper gunner, respectively of an aircraft detailed for a mine-laying mission in the Kattegat one night in October, 1944. After leaving the target area the aircraft was attacked by a fighter. Flying Officer Strachan manoeuvred with great skill but his aircraft was hit by the enemy’s machine gun fire. A fire commenced in the fuselage below Sergeant Webster’s turret. This airman promptly attacked the flames with extinguishers and beat at the flames with some of his flying clothing. He sustained burns to his face and hands but he continued his efforts and with the assistance of other members of the crew, the fire was finally put out. The aircraft had sustained much damage and was difficult to control. A large hole had been burned in the fuselage. The hydraulic system had been rendered unserviceable and the bomb doors were in the open position. Neverthless, Flying Officer Strachan flew the aircraft to base and executed a successful crash landing. This officer displayed a high degree of skill and determination throughout. Sergeant Webster also proved himself a resolute member of aircraft crew. His promptitude and resource in the emergency set a very fine example.’
Frank Webster served during the Second World War as a mid-upper gunner with 619 Squadron (Lancasters) from Strubby, Lincolnshire. The above mentioned Gardening raid took place on 4 October 1944, and Strachan crash-landed at Carnaby.
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