W/Cdr HJW Meakin DFC
 

Hi guys

Seeking DFC citation for W/Cdr Jack Meakin, CO of 464 (RAAF) Squadron 1943.

Cheers
Brian

Re: W/Cdr HJW Meakin DFC
 

I found this link which I tried to clean up to be readable below.

http://www.rafcommands.com/dcforum/D.../Data/7468.txt

AIR MINISTRY 12 September 1941. ROYAL AIR FORCE.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy. On the morning of 12th August 1941 Blenheim bombers carried out simultaneous attacks on the great power stations near Cologne. A strong force attacked the station at Knapsack whilst a smaller force attacked two stations at Quadrath. These missions involved a flight of some 250 miles over enemy territory which was carried out at an altitude of 100 feet. At Knapsack the target was accurately bombed and machine gunned from between 200 and 800 feet and at Quadrath both power stations were hit from the height of the chimneys the turbine house at one of the two stations was left a mass of flames and smoke. The success of this combined daylight attack and the co-ordination of the many formations of aircraft depended largely on accurate timing throughout the flight. That complete success was achieved despite powerful opposition from enemy ground and air forces is a high tribute to the calm-courage and resolute determination displayed by the following officers and airmen who participated in various capacities as leaders and members of the aircraft crews.

Distinguished Service Order.
Acting Wing Commander John Owen Cecil KERCHER No. 21 Squadron.
Acting Wing Commander James Lauder NICOL No. 114 Squadron. Missing.

Distinguished Flying Cross.
Acting Squadron Leader William John EDRICH Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve No. 21 Squadron.
Acting Squadron Leader Alan Sheffield JUDSON No. 114 Squadron.
Acting Squadron Leader Henry John Walter MEAKIN Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve No. 82 Squadron.
Acting Squadron Leader Richard Thomas STUBBS No. 139 Squadron.
Acting Flight Lieutenant Richard John CHAMBERLAIN Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve No. 139 Squadron.
Acting Flight Lieutenant Peter James CHANNER Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve No. 18 Squadron.
Acting Flight Lieutenant Frederick Richard Howard CHARNEY Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve No. 107 Squadron.
Flying Officer Herbert Joseph MADDEN Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve No. 114 Squadron. Missing.
Acting Flying Officer Thomas Herbert BAKER D.F.M. No. 114 Squadron.
Pilot Officer Harry Rutherford CROMBIE Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve No. 139 Squadron.

Distinguished Flying Medal.
Flight Sergeant Brynmor Granville EVANS No. 21 Squadron.
Sergeant John Herbert PILLEY No. 18 Squadron.
Sergeant James Douglas WOODBURN Royal Canadian Air No. 18 Squadron.

Re: W/Cdr HJW Meakin DFC
 

Hello,

Here is the real thing:

www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35273/pages/5294

S/L (later W/C) Henry John Walter 'Jack' MEAKIN. DFC*, MiD, No.83280 RAF.
Born: Repton, Derbyshire 29-5-1916.
No.53, 88, & 82 Sqns. RAF, CO 464 Sqn RAAF 1943-44, W/C (Flying) No.138 & 140 Wings RAF 1944-45.

Also:

www.awm.gov.au/units/people_1077850.asp

Col.

Re: W/Cdr HJW Meakin DFC
 

Here is a description of the raids that day, with some photos.

http://ww2today.com/12th-august-1941...ids-on-germany


An artist's sketch of the attack.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/t.../INF3_0850.htm

Re: W/Cdr HJW Meakin DFC
 

Thanks guys, that's excellent.

The main reason for my enquiry is that Jack Meakin lost part of his right hand when he baled out on 21 October 1940, and was later fitted with a hook strapped to his wrist, which allowed him to continue operational flying. Some guy!

Was he Australian by birth? Has anyone a photograph of him?

Cheers and thanks again.

Brian

Re: W/Cdr HJW Meakin DFC
 

Brian,

"Was he (Meakin), Australian by birth?" Meakin was born in Repton, Derbyshire!

Col.

Re: W/Cdr HJW Meakin DFC
 

Hi Col

I hadn't spotted that in your earlier posting!

I enquired as he was a CO of 464 Sqn and you posted his details via the AWM.

Thanks again

Brian

Re: W/Cdr HJW Meakin DFC
 

Brian,

Me again.

http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/UK0272

http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/UK0271

Col.

Re: W/Cdr HJW Meakin DFC
 

Thanks again, Col

Pity the pictures do not show his right hand!!

Cheers
Brian

Re: W/Cdr HJW Meakin DFC
 

Hi guys


I see that Jack Meakin received a second DFC - do we have a citation or other details for that?

Cheers
Brian

Re: W/Cdr HJW Meakin DFC
 

No citation, but the posting in the Gazette when the bar was awarded.

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issu.../5085/page.pdf

Re: W/Cdr HJW Meakin DFC
 

Many thanks for the info

Cheers
Brian

Re: W/Cdr HJW Meakin DFC
 

What was Jack Meakin bailing out of on 21st Oct 1940, in which he lost part of his hand?

Re: W/Cdr HJW Meakin DFC
 

On 21 October (1940), P/O H J W Meakin was returning from an SA9 in (Blenheim IV) R3699/U. The aircraft had been damaged by flak and it became uncontrollable near Detling. The crew bailed out and P/O Meakin was injured. Sadly, the Blenheim crashed into two houses in Dernier Road, Tonbridge, killing two* and injuring sixteen.

See:
United in Effort The Story of No.53 Squadron Royal Air Force 1916-1976
Manson,Jock
Tunbridge Wells:Air-Britain (Historians),1997
p.36

* The 2 civilian deaths were:

Frances Couchman (Aged 78)
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/c...hman,-frances/

Alice Ford (Aged 65)
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/c...9/ford,-alice/

See also: CCL1/McNeill/p.72.

Col.