The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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206943 Sgt. Raymond Scargill DFM. Royal Air Force 166 Sqd. I am trying to do some research in to my great uncle, Raymond Scargill. He was a mid upper gunner on Lancasters at Kirmington 1943-44. The crew; pilot; F/SGT S.G Coole. Flt.Eng. Sgt A.W.Downs. B.A. Sgt R.S.Rennie {Canadian}. Nav. F/Sgt C.L.Burthwhistle W.OP. Sgt F Hollyoak Mug. Sgt Raymond Scargill R.G.Sgt A.B.Ashworth.166 Sqd. The aircraft they flew was named Fairfighter's Revenge due to their earlier one name Fairfighter having crashed. My uncle was awarded the DFM for his efforts in rescuing the rear gunner. I would like to know if any of the others were awarded the same Dean Mooring Add to this record.  Additional Information: F/SGT Sidney Coole the Pilot was also awarded the DFM at the same time and I believe the rear Gunner also who was called Manuel. The story of Fair Fighter and its replacement Fair Fighters Revenge is in a book called Ton Up Lancs. Fair Fighters revenge flew over 100 missions, on of only 35 Lancs to achieve this. Sid is the Grandfather of my friend Sarah, he sadly passed away in the 1990s. John Woods Reply The Original Fair Fighter, crash landed at Woodbridge after returning from Bombing Aachen and being attacked over Belgium by an ME 110 Nightfighter. Apparently the rear gunner Manuel was injured and was still able to give directions to Sid Coole who manoeuvred the Lanc so that Ray Scargill could get clear shots at their attacker. He did so successfully shooting it down. The plane made it back to UK but was a write off and Sid and Ray rescued the rear gunner from the wreckage. They flew together for approx. another 16-18 missions in the new Lanc Fair Fighters Revenge. ME218 She was later transferred to 153 Sqd AT Scampton. She survived the war and was scrapped in 1946. There are photos of her in 'Ton up Lancs' and of Ray and Sid. There is also a painting of her by an artist called Howard Bourne but I've struggled so far to get hold of a copy? John Woods Reply Related Content: No. 166 Squadron Royal Air Force RAF Kirmington Can you help us to add to our records? Add a record to our website. The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area? If so please let us know. Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice. Contact us. Celebrate your own Family History Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc. Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.

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