245762 Flt.Sgt. Albert Norman "Taffy" Jones DFMRoyal Air Force from:New Purchase Farm, Highmoor Hill, Caerwent, Monmouthshire Story of my father Albert Jones, left the family farm after a young girl was killed by a German plane by the Severn Tunnel Junction. He was at first sent back home but some weeks later recalled and told he would have to fly. He trained as a flight engineer ground crew at first but then the Sergeant had to let him go and join a crew which he had been reluctant to do as Dad was a good fitter. He was known as Taffy throughout the war. Promoted to a Flight Sergeant he flew with a number of pilots at first including a Polish Pilot known as Joe, then with a Canadian called Mitchell but known as Mitch. (In fact Mitch only liked flying with my Dad). They both joined the Pathfinder Force and took part in many raids including Berlin and Nurembourg. Dad flew 38 operational sorties and 15 with the Pathfinder Force, total hours 229.40. On one occasion they took a senior officer who wanted to see what these men underwent on a trip. Mitch insisted my Dad stay in the seat next to him and the Officer sat behind, well when the Rear Gunner shouted Enemy they performed the Corkscrew and the senior officer ended up in the roof of the Lancaster and stated afterwards, This is a crew that will survive. Dad, himself, also suffered with air sickness at times. His record for the award of DFM states "Throughout his tour he has proved himself to be an able and efficient Flight Engineer who has shown the greatest keenness to operate under enemy fire with coolness and courage of an high order and on many occasions good work as a Bomb Aimer. His conscientious devotion to duty and courage are worthy of high praise". In 1945 he was posted to India and Burma to work with Gliders where he was Commissioned and caught Dengue Fever.
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