LASKEY, P/O Dallas (J22525) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.426 Squadron - Award effective 25 April 1943 as per London Gazette dated 7 May 1943 and AFRO 1187/43 dated 25 June 1943. Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, 10 December 1919; home there. Enlisted in Moncton, 9 July 1941 and posted to No.1 Manning Depot. To No31 BGS, 8 August 1941 (guard duty). To No.1 ITS, 13 September 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 7 November 1941; posted that date to No.14 EFTS; ceased training and posted elsewhere, 28 December 1941; to No.10 AOS, 2 January 1942; to No.6 BGS, 11 April 1942; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 23 May 1942; to No.1 CNS, 24 May 1942; graduated and commissioned 3 July 1942. To “Y” Depot, 4 July 1942. To No.31 OTU, 23 July 1942. To RAF Ferry Command, that same date. To RAF overseas, 25 September 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 3 January 1943. Missing (POW), 13/14 May 1943. Participated in Wooden Horse escape plan. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 3 July 1944. Reported Safe in United Kingdom, 9 May 1945, Repatriated 1 June 1945. Released 8 September 1945. Attended Harvard (Ph.D in Philosophy); taught at Tufys, Bishops College and Concordia University (retired as Professor Emeritus). Took up playing jazz and learning Arabic. Died in Montreal, 12 August 2012. Cited with Sergeant L.L. Anderson (RCAF, awarded DFM). Incident was on 4 April 1943. One night in April 1943, Pilot Officer Laskey and Sergeant Anderson were bomb aimer and wireless operator respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Kiel. Whilst over the target area the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire which damaged the rear turret, trapping the gunner. By a strenuous effort, Pilot Officer Laskey was able to move the turret sufficiently to enable the gunner to free himself. Afterwards the target was successfully bombed but, almost immediately, the aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter and sustained further damage. In spite of this, the pilot attempted to fly the damaged bomber back to this country. During the flight Pilot Officer Laskey and Sergeant Anderson rendered much assistance but their efforts were unavailing. The aircraft came down on the sea and after five and a half hours drifting on an overturned dinghy, Pilot Officer Laskey and Sergeant Anderson, the only two survivors, were picked up. Both displayed great courage and fortitude in very trying circumstances. NOTE: The incident described was on 4/5 April 1943 and involved Wellington X3699, target Kiel. Airborne 2030, 4 April 1943 from Dishforth. At 0320 the Wellington was plotted in position 5305N 0130E, but ditched soon afterwards some 10 miles NE of Cromer, Norfolk. Of those killed, F/O Kennedy is buried in Scottow Cemetery, while P/O Walley and Sgt Beaton are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. The survivors were in the water for nearly five hours before being sighted and picked up by the crew of a RN destroyer. DHH file 181.009 D.2624 (Library and Archives Canada RG.24 Volume 20628) has correspondence respecting securing Goldfish Badges for R101990 Sergeant L.L. Anderson, DFM and J22525 P/O D. Laskey, DFC, notably a letter to the Goldfish Club dated 15 May 1943: On the night of the 4th April 1943, the above mentioned formed part of the crew of an aircraft of this Unit which took off on an operational sortie. On the return journey the aircraft was badly damaged and had to be ditched at sea. P/O Laskey and Sergeant Anderson were Bomb Aimer and Wireless Air Gunner respectively and were the only members of the crew who survived when the aircraft was ditched. P/O Laskey and Sergeant Anderson spent approximately five hours in a dinghy before being picked up by a destroyer on the morning of the 5th April 1943. P/O Laskey has however since been reported missing from air operations.