228116 F/Sgt. Henry Eugene Davidson DFM.Royal Air Force 138 Sqdn. (d.14th April 1943) I am looking for any one that may have known my great uncle. He came down in the sea off Bournemouth. Operation Porcupine, Belgium.I would love to hear from any one with any information, stories or photos of the crew.
Update:
Your great uncle is listed in the Roll of Honour
From Chorley's Bomber Comand Losses:
138 Sqdn Halifax B363 NF-T,
Sgt W A Cook RNZAF,
Sgt J Doy,
Sgt E G Hammett,
W/O R W Ward DFC,
Sgt W Skelton,
F/S H E Davidson DFM,
F/S A E King,
Sgt J R Callan,
Sgt E J Kimberley.
They took off from Tempsford on operation Porcupine/Mandrill Caracal 3 and Gibbon 2 over Belgium. Presumed lost over the sea. Five are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial; the rest are buried in various cemeteries. F/S Davidson had gained his DFM while serving with 102 Sqdn, the details being published on 6 December 1940 along with those of his skipper, then P/O G L Cheshire VC who won a DSO. The joint citation paid tribute to their courage and skill in extracting their Whitley from a most hazardous situation after flak had set fire to the fuselage, particular mention being made to the fact that F/S Davidson had been severely burnt and temporarily blinded. - Bob
Update
I write to thank you for your reply and found it most interesting as this has been the only piece of information I have found. I am awaiting F/S Davidson records from the PMA.
From your note I believe you refer to Leonard Cheshire. I say this as I remember my grandfather showing me Harry's Davidson's diary. My grandfather sent this to Mr Cheshire but unfortunately never had it returned.
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