WARREN, P/O Milton Wilfred (J18398) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.426 Squadron - Award effective 10 January 1944 as per London Gazette dated 21 January 1944 and AFRO 410/44 dated 25 February 1944. Home in Geraldton, Ontario; enlisted in Winnipeg, 6 June 1941 and posted to No.2A Manning Depot. To No.2 WS, 19 September 1941. Promoted LAC, 15 October 1941. To No.7 BGS, 2 March 1942; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 30 March 1942. To “Y” Depot, 31 March 1942. To RAF overseas, 3 April 1942. All else on pay card unreadable. Died in Union Bay, British Columbia, 2 December 2004. Presented by King George 11 August 1944. Photo PL-32547 (ex UK-13876) taken during investiture. No citation other than "completed...many successful operations against the enemy in which [he has] displayed high skill, fortitude and devotion to duty." DHist file 181.009 D.2624 (RG.24 Vol.20628) has recommendation dated 18 November 1943 when he had flown 24 ½ sorties (149 hours six minutes) between 10 September 1942 and 18 October 1943 (the half-sortie was an ASR search). // This officer has participated in 24½ operational sorties including attacks against some of the most heavily defended areas in Germany and several mine laying operations. Recent targets included raids on Peenemunde, Berlin and Hanover, where intense fighter opposition was encountered. He has at all times displayed a coolness and courage under fire which is worthy of the highest praise. The fine record of achievement held by this officer has in no small measure contributed to the operational efficiency of his crew, and I recommend that the keenness with which he has undertaken any type of operation be recognized with the award of the DFC. // A Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, the sortie list was as follows: // 10 September 1942 - Dusseldorf (5.40) // 21 January 1943 - Gardening (4.51) // 29 January 1943 - Lorient (6.20) // 7 February 1943 - Lorient (6.35) // 24 February 1943 - Wilhelmshaven (5.20) // 3 March 1943 - Hamburg (4.45) // 4 March 1943 - Lorient (7.00) // 5 March 1943 - Essen (5.45) // 8 March 1943 - Gardening (5.10) // 10 April 1943 - Frankfurt (7.50) // 22 April 1943 - Gardening (7.15) // 4 May 1943 - Dortmund (5.20) // 12 May 1943 - Duisburg (4.55) // 13 May 1943 - Bochum (5.50) // 16 May 1943 - Gardening (3.05) // 23 May 1943 - Air-Sea Rescue (8.05, counted as one-half sortie) // 25 May 1943 - Dusseldorf (4.55) // 3 June 1943 - Gardening (6.00) // 17 August 1943 - Peenemunde (7.20) // 22 August 1943 - Leverkusen (4.55) // 27 August 1943 - Nuremburg (7.30) // 30 August 1943 - Munchen-Gladbach (4.40) // 31 August 1943 - Berlin (6.50) // 7 October 1943 - Stuttgart (7.15) // 18 October 1943 - Hanover (5.55) // Website http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york43/he866.html records the following incident under title WELLINGTON HE866 DAMAGED BY FLAK, RETURNED TO DISHFORTH AIRFIELD. “On the night of 10th /11th April 1943 this 426 Squadron Wellington was being flown on an operational flight to bomb Frankfurt and left base of Dishforth at around 23.00hrs. The crew bombed the target area through thick cloud onto the PFF markers and around the time they were over the target area the aircraft sustained flak damage. The aircraft landed safely on return to the UK, almost certainly back at base of Dishforth at 07.01hrs.” Crew listed as follows: Pilot - P/O Leonard Alexander Merrifield RCAF (J11069, posted to No.420 Squadron, 23 April 1943 and later awarded DFC), Navigator - P/O George Frederick Keen RCAF (J17489, posted to No.420 Squadron, 23 April 1943 and later awarded DFC), Bomb Aimer - P/O Philip Alfred Andrew RAF (123847, RAF, posted to No.420 Squadron, 23 April 1943 and later awarded DFC), Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Milton Wilfred Warren RCAF, Air Gunner - P/O William Edgar Gillis RCAF (J17233, posted to No.420 Squadron, 23 April 1943 and later awarded DFC).