P/O Crooks 28 may 40 226Sq ?

[brewerjerry]

Hi
trying to find info on a P/O Crooks, 226Sq ?, and an award he received for operation an on 28-may-40 for 'extensive reconnaissance of the Amiens-Albert road at a low altitude under heavy fire'
any ideas of sources for the battle a/c serial and codes ?
unfortunately i can visit the NA for a while.
cheers
Jerry

[Alex Smart]

Hello Jerry,

From "The Battle File"
page 69, 226 Squadron
"Six aircraft took off to attack armoured colums on roads near Amiens. They were:
L5461 F/O.R.W. Bungay; P2161 P/O Heywood;
P6598 Sgt. G.G. Martin; L5428 F/O D.A.C. Crooks;
L5305 Sgt G.F.McLoughlin; L5419 P/O Rae.
P/O Rae returned almost immediately with a perspex panel blown out of his aircraft. The other five found no major targets but attacked vehicles and troops with bombs and machine guns. All returned safely."

[Frank Olynyk]

From Nick and Carol Carter's The Distinguished Flying Cross and How it was Won 1918-1995, page 387-8:

Crooks, David Alexander Cummings. PO. (40678). RAF. 226Sqn.
London Gazette: 25/6/1940:3863
Joint Citation with Sgt 580453 T.C.Davies. Awarded the DFM.
LAC 547790 W.R.J.Green. Awarded the DFM.
During a day in May, 1940, Pilot Officer Crooks carried out an extensive reconnaissance of the Amiens-Albert road with great determination and gallantry. At a low altitude, and under heavy fire from the ground, he bombed a large convoy of enemy armoured vehicles, obtaining direct hits with his bombs. Although his aircraft was hit by heavy pom-pom fire he succeeded in reaching his base. Sergeant Davies, an air observer, has been a member of Pilot Officer Crooks's crew on all missions, and has used his gun most effectively during low flying bombing attacks on convoys. He has also shown exceptional navigational ability under difficult conditions by day and night. As wireless operator, air gunner in Pilot Officer Crooks's aircraft, Leading Aircraftman Green has displayed considerable galantry in attacking ground targets from a low altitude with his rear gun. Pilot Officer Crooks and his crew have shown initiative and exceptional devotion to duty in many missions undertaken by night and under adverse weather conditions. They have pressed home their attacks, invariably from low altitudes, in site of enemy opposition from the ground and from the air.

Ian Tavender's The Distinguished Flying Medal Register for the Second World War, basically repeats the citation above for the two enlisted men.
Davies, Thomas Clifford
Green, William Reginald John.

Frank.

[brewerjerry]

Hi
Many thanks for taking the time to reply & the info.
Much appreciated as usual
Cheers
Jerry

[Brian]

Hi Jerry

Just to add to the above, David Alexander Cummings CROOKS DFC hailed from Toronto (Canadian in RAF) and joined 263 Squadron to fly twin-engined Whirlwinds. He was shot down and killed on 1 April 1941 and is buried in France. He was 28 years old.

Cheers
Brian

PS: Crooks was shot down in flames by return fire from a Do215 he was attacking in conjunction with Sqn Ldr A.H. Donaldson off the Lizard. It would seem that his body drifted to the French coast. The Dornier was claimed damaged.

[brewerjerry]

Hi,
Thanks for the info, but CWWG has crooks buried as :-

Cemetery:ILLOGAN (ST. ILLOGAN) CHURCHYARDCountry:United KingdomLocality:Cornwall


Cheers
Jerry

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

Air Britain P1000-R9999
has
W.Whirlwind
P6989
263 Sqdn
Presumed damaged by return fire from Do 17 off Lizard; Crashed near Helston, Cornwall. 1.4.41.
and Kookaburra book has HE-J but gives date as 13th April.

If we accept date (13th) is wrong then

that begs the question as to who is burried in France ?

Alex

[Alex Smart]

Hello Jerry,

I was going to send you an e-mail but I have at least three addresses for you.

Could you please contact me so that i will have your you to date address please.

As for Crooks, The Canadian War vets pages has him as 1-4-41, remembered on page 604 as F/Lt. and there is also a Photo of him on the site.l

All for now

Alex

[Brian]

Oops!

In my ignorance I assumed St Illogan was in France - apologies to all Cornishmen and other intelligent people!

Cheers
Brian

[brewerjerry]

Hi Brian,
It's easy to make a mistake, It is excusable when you are trying to help, as there is always someone who corrects it with the knowledge on this board.
Thanks for the reply.

Hi Alex,
Sent you a PM
Cheers
Jerry