224339 F/Lt. Bernard Sydney Downs DFC.Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 78 Squadron Bernard Downs died in 2015 in Bexhill-On-Sea, East Sussex. He was born in 1923 in Lambeth, London. He married Ann Gibson in spring 1949 in Lambeth, Surrey.
Flt Lt Bernard Downs DFC, 78 Squadron: The London Gazette of Friday, the 26th of May, 1944. Tuesday, 30th of May 1944: DFC Award: "Acting Flt. Lt. B. S. Downs R.A.F.V.R., No. 78 Sqn. Flight Global 20th of July 1944. Acting Flight Lieutenant Bernard Sydney Downs (169114), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 78 Squadron. Flight Lieutenant Downs is a highly efficient and devoted captain of aircraft. He has completed a large number of sorties and throughout has displayed the greatest determination to bomb his targets successfully. His example has greatly inspired his crews."
Bernard's appointment to commission was as a Pilot. Officer on probation (emergency) from being a Warrant Officer on the 28th of November 1943. He was promoted from Fight Officer to Ft. Lt. (war subs.) on the 28th Nov. 1945. Bernard was transferred to a direct commission as a Flight Lieutenant having served twelve years on the active list and four years on the reserve on the 8th Oct. 1954 (period of service to count from 5th Oct.1948).
He is listed in the Acknowledgement Pages of "Men Of Air: The Doomed Youth Of Bomber Command" by Kevin Wilson and also " Bomber Boys: The RAF Offensive of 1943" by Kevin Wilson'.
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