Percy Edwin Spence DFC

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78SqnHistory
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Percy Edwin Spence DFC

Post by 78SqnHistory » Sat Nov 14, 2020 4:19 pm

Does any one have any information on this gentleman:

J/16535 Percy Edwin Spence DFC RCAF

He flew as a pilot with No. 78 Squadron, 4 Group from September 1942 until March 1943. Originally as a Sergeant pilot and then commissioned mid way through his tour. He was gazetted with the DFC 14th May 1943 and then later in the war was Mentioned in Despatches in the King's Birthday Honours list of 8th June 1944. I believe that he lived in Penticton and died in 2005.

Any information on his service before and after 78 Squadron or his post war life greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Daz

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Phil
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Re: Percy Edwin Spence DFC

Post by Phil » Sat Nov 14, 2020 7:17 pm

This would seem to be his wife, Dorothy Edith Spence's, obituary. A potential indication of his descendants.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/okana ... =185693863
Spence, Dorothy Edith: 1922 - 2017. It is with profound sadness that the Spence family announces the passing of Dorothy Edith Spence, our beloved mother. Dorothy passed away May 10 in Montreal, where her family gathered to be with her during her final days. The family gratefully acknowledges the loving care provided by The West Island Palliative Care Unit in Montreal. Dorothy leaves behind grieving family members: daughter, Lynda Allen (nee Spence), sons Stephen, Stewart and Craig, and a large extended family. For many years Dorothy lived in Penticton with her husband Percy Edwin Spence, who passed away in 2005. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate a donation in Dorothy's name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
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Re: Percy Edwin Spence DFC

Post by Temujin » Sat Nov 14, 2020 7:19 pm

SPENCE, P/O Percy Edwin (J16535) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.78 Squadron - Award effective 7 May 1943 as per London Gazette dated 14 May 1943 and AFRO 1035/43 dated 4 June 1943. Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, 15 April 1919; home there; enlisted in Halifax, 14 February 1941 and posted to No.1 Manning Depot. To No.1 BGS (guard), 24 March 1941. To No.1 ITS, 16 May 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 21 June 1941 when posted to No.7 EFTS; graduated 8 August 1941 when posted to No.16 SFTS; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 7 November 1941. To “Y” Depot, 8 November 1941. To RAF overseas, 8 December 1941. Promoted Flight Sergesnt, 7 May 1942. Commissioned 1 December 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 1 June 1943. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 18 November 1943. Appears to be instructing at No.1664 Heavy Conversion Unit in July 1944 (see record for J.E. Moffatt). Repatriated 13 June 1945. Retired 9 September 1945. Re-engaged as pilot, 15 September 1951 (47026). Served with No.19 Technical Unit. Award presented by King George VI, 7 December 1943. Died in 2005, possibly in Penticton. Photo PL-21660 is a portrait. // This officer has participated in many successful sorties against the most heavily defended targets, including two against Berlin. His courage, determination and initiative have contributed largely to the high standard of efficiency maintained by his crew. // NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/8950 had recommendation dated 7 March 1943; credited with 29 sorties (212 hours 15 minutes). First three operations as 2nd pilot; all others as captain. Sorties and original text as listed as follows (although text mentions a raid on Frankfurt which is not recorded in the sortie sheet): // 31 July 1942 - Dusseldorf (5.05) - Large fires seen in target area. // 6 September 1942 - Duisburg (5.20) - Bomb bursts seen in built-up area. // 10 September 1942 - Dusseldorf (5.07) - Fires seen in built up area. Goon box failed on outward journey and wireless telephone failed on return. // 1 October 1942 - Flensburg (7.07) - Fires seen. // 5 October 1942 - Aachen (6.09) - Number of fires in built-up area. // 6 October 1942 - Osnabruck (5.50) - Bomb bursts in target area. // 8 October 1942 - GARDENING (3.56) // 13 October 1942 - Kiel (7.07) - Good fires in target area. // 15 October 1942 - Cologne (6.22) - Many fires seen. // 23 October 1942 - Genoa (9.34) - Bomb bursts in railway sidings. // 15 November 1942 - Genoa (10.27) - Bombs seen to explode on target. // 18 November 1942 - Turin (8.50) - Bombs dropped on town. Returned safely on three engines. // 22 November 1942 - Stuttgart (9.17) - No results observed. // 28 November 1942 - Turin (9.30) - Very large fires seen in town. // 6 December 1942 - Mannheim (8.43) - Glow of fires seen through clouds. // 9 December 1942 - Turin (9.37) - Large fires observed. // 20 December 1942 - Duisburg (5.48) - Widespread fires observed. // 14 January 1943 - Lorient (5.02) - Bomb on target area. // 17 January 1943 - Berlin (8.32) - Many fires seen. // 2 February 1943 - Cologne (5.46) - Many large fires counted. // 3 February 1943 - Hamburg (7.44) - Glow of fires seen through clouds. // 7 February 1943 - Lorient (6.05) - Ten large fires counted. // 25 February 1943 - Nuremburg (9.36) - Many fires observed taking hold. // 26 February 1943 - Cologne (6.21) - Many fires counted. // 28 February 1943 - St.Nazaire (7.21) - Target well alight. // 1 March 1943 - Berlin (7.46) - Numerous scattered fires seen. // 3 March 1943 - Hamburg (6.07) - - // 5 March 1943 - Essen (5.36) - Heavy concentrated raid. // 8 March 1943 - Nuremburg (8.50) - Target attacked. // This officer has now completed 29 sorties. He has bee engaged in attacking some of the most heavily defended targets in Germany, including two sorties to Berlin. He has held his crew together well, which accounts for their high standard of efficiency. On a fairly recent attack on Frankfurt it is believed that his was the only crew to obtain a photograph of the aiming point. // The Officer Commanding, RAF Station Linton-on-Ouse, added his remarks on 12 March 1943: // A first class captain of aircraft who has shown the greatest determination, courage and enthusiasm at all times. He has always shown the keenness desire to proceed on operations and his sterling qualities have been a source of inspiration to his squadron. He is a Canadian. // On 30 March 1943 the Air Officer Commanding, No.4 Group, added: // This officer has now been posted for instructional duties ad I very strongly recommend that he be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. // SPENCE, F/L Percy Edwin, DFC (J16535) - Mention in Despatches - Overseas - Award effective 8 June 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1729/44 dated 11 August 1944. No citation in AFRO.

Source: https://www.rcafassociation.ca/heritage ... l&type=all
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Re: Percy Edwin Spence DFC

Post by Temujin » Sat Nov 14, 2020 7:22 pm

48BE4355-0244-4680-B597-5152B88A8BDD.jpeg
48BE4355-0244-4680-B597-5152B88A8BDD.jpeg (405.03 KiB) Viewed 7807 times
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Re: Percy Edwin Spence DFC

Post by Phil » Sat Nov 14, 2020 7:39 pm

I also found a listing for,

S/L Percy Edwin (Eddie) Spence, DFC RCAF Sydney

At a site for Cape Bretoners in World War Two,

https://sites.google.com/site/nominallist/

Not sure if it's the same fellow, but Percy Edwin Spence, DFC, RCAF seems quite convincing.
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Re: Percy Edwin Spence DFC

Post by 78SqnHistory » Sun Nov 15, 2020 4:33 am

Thank you both for your posts, very helpful.

I can explain the missing Frankfurt operation, it was on the 2nd December 1942 and the crew aborted the mission as the port inner engine became unserviceable, bombs were jettisoned safe in the sea and they safely returned to base on 3 engines.

Once again many thanks for your help

Daz

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