B-17 CC Additional Material by Robert M Stitt

Royal Air Force, Service No: 536451.
Husband of Frances Rosina Campion of Battersea, London
Panel 134, Runnymede, Surrey.
W/O Michael Patrick Campion
after being awarded the
Empire Gallantry Medal in
1940. It was exchanged for
a George Cross later that
year. (via Marion Hebblethwaite)
Note: W/O Michael Patrick Campion was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal in 1940 – this
was automatically exchanged for the George Cross under the terms of the institution of that award in
September 1940. On March 12, 1940, Campion, a Leading Aircraftman at the time, and Aircraftman
1 st Class Ernest Ralph Clyde Frost were among the first on the scene of a take-off collision between two
Bristol Blenheims engaged in training at RAF Upwood, Huntingdonshire. Blenheim IV L8845 was under
the command Sgt Alphonse Roger Hermels of 35 Squadron while Blenheim I L1396 of 90 Sqn was being
flown by Sgt Blanks. Blanks was uninjured but Hermels was trapped in his cockpit with severe back
injuries as his aircraft caught fire. W/O Campion worked to free the injured pilot while Frost, who did
not realise there was only the pilot on board, looked for a radio operator in the rear fuselage. Despite the
imminent danger of an explosion, Campion and Frost managed to extricate Hermels from the burning
wreck before the petrol tanks exploded and the aircraft burned out. Unfortunately, Hermels died from
his injuries later that day.
Fortress II FA705 ‘U’ of 206 Squadron
January 6, 1944: Shot down near 43º53’N 23º23’W by U-boat U-270 during an attack that damaged
the submarine. All nine crewmembers lost, as follows:
Sqn Ldr Anthony James Pinhorn, DFC, age 28. (Captain)
Royal Air Force, Service No: 42468.
Son of Harold J and G Maud Pinhorn of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Panel 201, Runnymede, Surrey.
Anthony James Pinhorn. (via
Wendy Hopkins)
Flg Off Joseph Henry Duncan, age 24. (Second pilot).
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Service No: 126994.
Son of George John and Ann Elizabeth Duncan of North Shields, Northumberland.
Panel 205, Runnymede, Surrey.
Flt Lt Ralph Brown, age 33. (Squadron navigation officer)
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Service No: 78250.
Son of William Leck Brown and Florence Brown; husband of Irene Brown of Hebden, Yorkshire.
F.R.Met.S.
Panel 200, Runnymede, Surrey.
Flg Off Francis Dennis Roberts, age 34.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Service No: 122972.
Son of William and Ester Roberts; husband of Violet Roberts.
Panel 209, Runnymede, Surrey.
W/O Ronald Norman Stares, age 25.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Service No: 931486.
Son of Frederick Walter and Harriett Stares of Greenford, Middlesex.
Panel 214, Runnymede, Surrey.
W/O Class I Donald Luther Heard, age 35.
Royal Canadian Air Force, Service No: R/105458.
Husband of Carlotta Margaret Heard of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
Panel 253, Runnymede, Surrey.
Ronald Norman Stares. (via
John Ashdown)
W/O Class I Oliver Ambrose Keddy, age 24.
Royal Canadian Air Force, Service No: R/88434.
Son of Reginald C. and Reta M. Keddy of Kingston, King’s Co., Nova Scotia, Canada.
Panel 253, Runnymede, Surrey.
F/Sgt Thomas Eckersley, age 31.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Service No: 1533557.
Son of Thomas and Janet Ellen Eckersley of Bolton, Lancashire; husband of Ellen Eckersley of Bolton.
Panel 217, Runnymede, Surrey.
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