Information on an RAFVR member that was Mentioned in Dispatches

[wright241]

A work colleague here (under pressure from me...) is starting to get interested in his Grandfathers medals etc after he told me that he had an 'MID' (his words -"what is that?").
I have ascertained that he did indeed get a Mentioned In Dispatches as he has an entry in The London Gazette Index/Vol 1 1945 which mentions Page 79.
His name was William Eaves. He served in 617 Squadron and was in the RAFVR.
Rank unknown. The MID mentions 1/1/1945.
Can anyone let me know how he can pursue this a little further and get more details about hime, the MID etc.
Appreciated and many thanks, David

[ravrick]

David,

try this forum they are very helpful...

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/index.php

Rick

[Jibba Jabba]

Do you mean Sgt. W.T Eaves 617 Squadron? Wireless Operator?

You should go to dambusters.org mate.

[wright241]

Originally Posted by Jibba Jabba

Do you mean Sgt. W.T Eaves 617 Squadron? Wireless Operator?

You should go to dambusters.org mate.

Thanks, I will let him know. I did realise the significance, but he is just a punter and that term means nothing to him..........
He is only 34 and had no idea or interest in anything that happened in ANY wars. Its a real struggle for me to get to grips with this attitude.....
My kids are more aware than most of the people here.
David

[David Tremain]

Google "617 Squadron Record Book" and you will find the Operational records of 617 squadron. It's a secured site (pdf) so you can't copy or print any of it; it's "read only". On page 198 you'll find a reference to Eaves:

1578716 Sgt. Eaves, W. W/Op transferred from 57sqdn. 05.04.44 promoted to F/Sgt 26.06.44 (see p.258)

- On 08.06.44 he was a crew member of Lancaster Mk.III ND472 (O) bombing Saumur with cluster bombs (see p.276);
- On 27.08.44 he was in Lancaster Mk.I DV402 (K) bombing shipping in Brest (p.454);
- On 11.09.44 he was in Lancaster Mk.III PB415 (S) bombing the Tirpitz.(p.468);
- On 23.09.44 he was in Lancaster Mk.I ME559 (Y) dropping a Tallboy on the Dortmund-Ems canal (p.474);
- On 03.10.44 he was in Lancaster Mk.I DV385 (V) bombing the Westkapelle sea wall; sortie abandoned (p.482);

and so it goes on. Hope this helps. David.

[wright241]

Originally Posted by David Tremain

Google "617 Squadron Record Book" and you will find the Operational records of 617 squadron. It's a secured site (pdf) so you can't copy or print any of it; it's "read only". On page 198 you'll find a reference to Eaves:

1578716 Sgt. Eaves, W. W/Op transferred from 57sqdn. 05.04.44 promoted to F/Sgt 26.06.44 (see p.258)

- On 08.06.44 he was a crew member of Lancaster Mk.III ND472 (O) bombing Saumur with cluster bombs (see p.276);
- On 27.08.44 he was in Lancaster Mk.I DV402 (K) bombing shipping in Brest (p.454);
- On 11.09.44 he was in Lancaster Mk.III PB415 (S) bombing the Tirpitz.(p.468);
- On 23.09.44 he was in Lancaster Mk.I ME559 (Y) dropping a Tallboy on the Dortmund-Ems canal (p.474);
- On 03.10.44 he was in Lancaster Mk.I DV385 (V) bombing the Westkapelle sea wall; sortie abandoned (p.482);

and so it goes on. Hope this helps. David.

David,
Many thanks I will let him know today.
David

[David Tremain]

David (wright241), glad to be of service. David