Canadians serving with 78 Squadron 4 Group

[78SqnHistory]

R203106 HADWYN R D

I’m not sure if this is the right HADWYN, as I haven’t been able to confirm his Service Number......But I thought I’d pass the info on to you. I’ve also included his marriage, wife’s name (she served in the RCAF also) and his death info.

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[Temujin]

Follow up on above R. D. Hadwyn

I looked at the Operational Record Books for May and Jun 1944. In the newspaper article it says that the RAF “discovered” his age issue sometime in May or Jun.

The Ops Record Books show him as part of “Gulvitch” Crew and it shows him as Mid Upper Gunner for missions until MID JUNE, then he’s replaced.....and I don’t see his name again in the records.

So I’m (95%) sure that this is the right Hadwyn.....below is a copy of his LAST mission before I believe they “shipped him to Canada” and the mission “following” that shows a different man as part of the crew

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[78SqnHistory]

Yes, that is him, I had his nick name but not his proper name. I'll,post some info that I have on him tomorrow.

Thanks again
Daz

[Temujin]

J38330 GOMES L E

Flight Lieutenant Lawrence E Gomes

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[78SqnHistory]

So, a little bit more information on Sergeant (Air Gunner) Roy Douglas 'Muscles' Hadwyn.

He arrived at 78 Squadron at RAF Breighton, on the 30th April 1944 from Number 41 Base. He was part of the crew of Warrant Officer Peter 'Gully' Gulevich RCAF. The full crew being:

R159095 Warrant Officer Peter "Gully" Gulevich RCAF Pilot
J26295 Flying Officer Arthur Harvey Eldridge RCAF Navigator
178246 Sergeant Malcolm Sharp RAFVR Bomb Aimer
1324335 Sergeant John Frederick George Toll RAFVR Wireless Operator
1812377 Sergeant Kenneth Leslie "Kell" Cheeseman Flight Engineer
1896061 Sergeant Herbert Ogley RAFVR Air Gunner
R203106 Sergeant Roy Douglas Hadwyn RCAF Air Gunner

The crew conducted its first operation on the night of the 2nd May when 11 crews were tasked to attack the railway yards at TRAPPES. The crew were operating in Halifax III LK847 EY-A. It was during this first operation that 'Muscles' claimed a JU88 as damaged and a Me109 as destroyed. On return to base Roy Hadwyn declared that he had done what he came to England to do and it was time to go home! He then produced his real birth certificate which showed he was 16 years old; an investigation was launched and he was told to continue on with operations. The crew completed their second operation on the 8th May 1944 against BERNEVAL gun batteries, in Halifax III LV799 EY-C. They returned to the BERNEVAL gun batteries the following night for their second operation. They didn't fly on the night of the 10th but were back on operations on the night of the 11th May when they attacked TROUVILLE railway yards. A short break then followed before the crew returned to operations on the night of the 24th to AACHEN, again targeting the railway. On the 27th May they attacked BOURG-LEOPOLD military camp and then on the night of the 31st May they attacked the railway yards at TRAPPES in Halifax III LV869 EY-G.

June began with a night attack on the town of TRAPPES on the 2nd June, during which they were attacked by a night fighter. On the night of the 5th June they took part in the attack on the German battery at MONT FLEURY as part of operations in preparation for the D-Day landings. On the night of the 6th they bombed German positions and lines of communications at ST LO. On the night of the 9th June they bombed the German airfield at LAVAL. On the 12th of June they completed their 12th op, with a night attack against lines of communications at AMIENS. On the 15th June they took part in the attack on the German fuel dump at FOUILLARD. On the night of the 16th they were tasked with a 'Gardening' operation to plant 4 MkIV sea mines in the area off the port of St Nazaire, codenamed BEECHES. After this operation 'Muscles' is removed from the crew and his place is taken by 1394919 Sergeant Donald Englefield RAFVR. Roy is sent to RAF Warrington on the 17th June 1944 to begin his journey back to Canada. I believe he eventually took up a training role at Foam Lake.

The Gulevich crew continued on with operations, completing the following:
22.06.44 LAON
04.07.44 ST MARTIN L'HORTIER
05.07.44 ST MARTIN L'HORTIER
06.07.44 CROIXDALE
09.07.44 CHATEAU BERNEPRE
12.07.44 THIVERNY
15.07.44 NUCOURT
18.07.44 CAEN H2
18.07.44 ACQUET
20.07.44 BOTTROP
24.07.44 STUTTGART
25.07.44 FORET DU CROC
28.07.44 FORET DU NIEPPE
09.08.44 FORET D MORMAL
10.08.44 DIJON
11.08.44 CHAPELLE NOTRE DAME
They are then lost on their 30th operation on the night of the 12th August whilst attacking BRUNSWICK, in Halifax III LV957 EY-X.They had most likely fallen victim to the guns of OberLeutnant Herman Leube who claimed a 4 motor bomber, east of Bremen. There were no survivors and the crew were originally buried at Osterholz but they now rest in Becklinghem CWGC Cemetery.

Thanks again for finding the detail of his names etc, much appreciated. Another band of warriors remembered today.

Daz

[78SqnHistory]

The graves of Gulevich and Eldridge.