NICHOLSON, Harry Gunner 1103085, 20 Defence Regiment Royal Artillery died 26th April 1942
F101 GIBBS Harold Theakston, (Military Medal) Flight Sergeant 560149, Royal Air Force, 830 squadron died 30th April 1942. Commemorated on the Biggin Hill War Memorial.
Following extract credited to -
http://www.oldhaltonians.co.uk/pages/rememb/ROH/13.htm
MM. In Malta, Gibbs built his own gun mounting and joined in with Station Defence, definitely destroying one enemy a/c and seriously damaged seven others, displaying courage, determination and sheer cussedness, to be awarded the Military Medal.
Supplement to the London Gazette dated 22 May 1942 -
"The King has graciously pleased to approve the following award in recognition of brave conduct.
Military Medal. 506149 Flight Sergeant Harold Theakston GIBBS, No. 830 Squadron (since deceased).
Flight Sergeant Gibbs has invariably displayed courage and determination in the defence of his aerodrome during enemy air attacks. He has been constantly on duty in manning a machine-gun post, which he erected himself, and has destroyed 1 enemy aircraft and probably destroyed 7 more. He has always been willing to give any assistance necessary after raids. This airman's fearlessness has set a fine example to all."
CLARKE, Douglas Joseph, Leading Aircraftman 907554, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve died 8th May 1942 aged 23. Son of Joseph John and Amy Clarke, of Upper Holloway, London
F101 COOK Stanley Harold, Corporal 1280167, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Born 1912 to Edward and Alice Cook. Husband of Jessie Lilian Cook, of Wembley, Middlesex. Died in Malta 8th May 1942 aged 3 years as the result enemy action. Wills and Admin, Ancestry. His residence was 8 Park Road, Wembley. His effects went to his widow.
DAVIS, Jack Clarence, Flight Sergeant 365231, Royal Air Force died 8th May 1942 aged 34. Son of James and Edith Davis, of Grantham, Lincolnshire.
LOCKWOOD, Frank Harold, Corporal 546564, Royal Air Force, died 8th May 1942. Son of Archie Stuart Lockwood and Dorothy Gertrude Lockwood, of Camberwell, London. His brother Archie also died on service (Archie, Leading Aircraftman 520825, RAF, died 2nd June 1940. Buried at St Omer Souvenir Cemetery, Longuenesse, France
McCARTY, John Albert, Leading Aircraftman 1008310, Royal Air Force, died 8th May 1942 aged 22. Son of John E. McCarty and Annie McCarty, of Walkden, Lancashire
PARMENTER Sidney Leonard, Corporal 958639 Royal Air Force (VR) Died 8th May 1942
F101 CLARKE John Shadrach, Aircraftman 1st Class 1075909, Royal Air Force. Born 1923 to John Shadrach Clarke and Margaret Clarke, nee Winn of Anfield, Liverpool. Died 8th May 1942 aged 19.
F101 TWEEDALE Gordon Russell, (DFM) Pilot Officer 404269 Royal Australian Air Force attached to 185 Squadron RAF stationed at RAF Hal Far, Malta. Born 18 April 1918 to Edward Wellington and Isa Tweedale, of 63 Wellington Street, Clayfield, Queensland, Australia. Enlisted 19 July 1940 aged 22 years and 3 months, occupation, stockman. He was shot down at killed while flying a Spitfire aircraft 9th May 1942 aged 24 The plane came down and crashed about Saviour Street, Lija, Malta. At the same time of the crash Gunner Seraphin Cauchi of the Royal Malta Artillery was passing by, he too was killed. (It was a case of being in the wrong place and the wrong time) Gunner Cauchi is at rest in Plot E Grave 25 In Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta.
Distinguished Flying Medal -
Citation: Flight Sergeant 4040269 Tweedale has always shown courage and desire to engage enemy. One occasion pursued JU88 to within 10 miles of Sicilian Coast shot it down, thereafter having fend off attacking aircraft when completely out of ammunition. Another occasion destroyed JU87 over Calafnan Bay in spite intense enemy fighter opposition. His fighting spirit has all occasions been outstanding.
Following extract credit to Skippy, on -
https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-1738.html
Gordon TWEEDALE was born on April 18 1918 in Brisbane, and worked as a stockman in Queensland before joining the RAAF. Posted to the UK on completion of training, he joined 43 Squadron as a Sergeant direct from OTU in January 1942. He was posted to Malta, arriving by Sunderland flying boat on February 22, and joined 126 Squadron. During his first combat on March 9, he chased a JU 88 to the Sicilian coast, claiming it shot down, but then Bf 109's damaged his Hurricane, wounding him in one heel, but he returned to Malta safely. After three weeks in hospital, Tweedale joined 185 Squadron, again on Hurricanes. During April and the begining of May he scored steadily and was promoted to Flight Sergeant. On the 9th the island's defences were boosted by the arrival of a large number of Spitfires. Some were handed to 185 Squadron, but in his first flight in one of these (BR248) during that day he was shot down by Bf109's and killed.
The award of Tweedale's DFM was gazetted in December 1942, back dated to April, and confirmation of his commission to Pilot Officer also came through after his death. He is credited with seven destroyed, two probable’s and two damaged.
All at rest in Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Kalkara, Malta Plot F Grave 101
