Hi,
Some information on Whaley Heppell: He joined the RAF July 3, 1939 and was posted to 616 Squadron in October 1940. He was later to fly with Baders Wing before he became a Flight Commander on 249 Squadron in Malta where he was shot down by AA fire of the Malta defences. He was posted as OC 249 Squdron prior to taking command of 118 Squadron, January 18, not 16th, 1944 at Castletown moving the following day to Detling. Heppell never served under Freeborn. Source: logbook of Whaley Heppell...you can see more of him here;
http://norav.50megs.com
Best Wishes.
Robert.