SHEPPARD, S/L Jackson Eddie or Adis (J6289) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.412 Squadron - Award effective 11 August 1944 as per London Gazette dated 22 August 1944 and AFRO 2231/44 dated 13 October 1944. Born 18 April 1920 (birth date on MI.9 report). Home in Vancouver where he described himself as a “student pilot”. Enlisted 18 August 1939 as “MBC” (whatever that is); to No.120 Squadron, 15 December 1939. Promoted AC1, 18 February 1940; promoted LAC, 18 May 1940. Promoted Corporal, 1 November 1940. Remustered to aircrew, reduced to AC2 and posted to No.1 ITS, 15 January 1941. Promoted LAC, 21 February 1941 but not posted to No.10 EFTS until 22 February 1941; to No.9 SFTS, 2 May 1941. Graduated and commissioned, 16 July 1941. To Embarkation Depot, 16 July 1941; to RAF overseas, 10 August 1941. Operational Training Unit at Llandow. Served in No.43 Squadron and with a Merchant Ship Fighter Unit. In the latter role he was launched from a ship on 10 February 1942 but had to circle the vessel with controls jammed; port wing struck sea and was torn off; he was picked up unhurt. Promoted Flying Officer, 16 July 1942. Posted to No.401 Squadron, February 1943; promoted Flight Lieutenant, 16 July 1943; to No.412 Squadron as Commanding Officer, 12 April 1944. Shot down on 2 August 1944 but evaded capture. Repatriated to Canada, 16 October 1944; to Western Air Command, 12 December 1944; to No.133 (Fighter) Squadron, 29 January 1945; to No.135 Squadron, 30 May 1945; to Patricia Bay, 11 September 1945; released 1 February 1946. Publisher of B.C. Journal of Commerce. Died in Vancouver, 13 October 1962. Credited with the following victories: 26 November 1943, one FW.190 destroyed (Spitfire MJ146); 7 March 1944, one FW.190 (MJ246); 15 March 1944, one FW.190 destroyed (MJ246); 10 May 1944, one FW.190 destroyed (MH826); 2 July 1944, one FW.190 destroyed (MJ304). See photos PL-22012 and PL-22013(18 October 1943 with Spitfire); Photo PL-28535 (ex UK-9501 dated 6 April 1944) shows S/L L.M. Cameron; on his left is F/L Jack Sheppard (Dollerton, British Columbia); on his right is F/L Richard Martin Stayner (Saskatoon). PL-28545 (ex UK-9511 dated 6 April 1944) shows him at his Spitfire with mascot “Dinghy.” RCAF photo PL-28909 (ex UK-10066 dated 28 April 1944) shows newly appointed RCAF squadron commanders - S/L G.C. Keefer, S/L Norman R. Fowlow and S/L Jack Sheppard. // Squadron Leader Sheppard has taken part in many varied operational sorties including escorts to bombers, fighter sorties and defensive patrols. An excellent leader, he has et a splendid example by his fine fighting spirit. This officer has himself destroyed four enemy aircraft. // NOTE: Public Record Office WO 208/3321 has MI.9 report of an evasion, noting he had left Rennes on 13 August 1944; arrived back in United Kingdom on 20 August 1944; interviewed 21 August 1944. // I took off from airstrip B.4 in a Spitfire aircraft leading eleven other aircraft at 1400 hours on 2 August 1944 on an armed reconnaissance flight behind enemy lines. When flying at a low level about 20 miles west of Alencon (France, 1:250,000, Sheet 3a and 8, Z 3504) we sighted approximately 30 enemy fighters slightly above us. My formations attacked these aircraft. During the attack an ME.109 attacked me from underneath. The engine of my aircraft seized a few moments later. // I crash-landed in a field at approximately 1500 hours a few kilometres northwest of Les Chapelles (Z 0206). The aircraft was badly damaged on landing, and I injured my knees in the crash. I hid in a nearby wood until 1730 hours, when I approached a young French girl who was passing my hiding place. I asked her for help. She went away and returned shortly afterwards accompanied by her father. She brought food and bandages and bandaged my knees. A few minutes later six Frenchmen arrived on the scene and stated that it was their intention to hide me. A few moments later a very well-dressed Frenchman arrived. He spoke excellent English and German. He dissuaded the others from helping me, and said that two gendarmes were arriving and that I must not be moved. Two gendarmes then arrived and stood beside me. A few moments later a German officer with two soldiers arrived and about an hour later I was taken by truck to a nearby village (name unknown). I was then transferred to an ambulance and taken to a hospital in Alencon where I arrived at 2100 hours. I met Marine Wardill (S/P.G. (G) 2133) there on 3 August. // I was not interrogated at the hospital and only my name, rank and number were taken for the hospital records. I did not receive any medical treatment. // I discussed escape plans with Marine Wardill and we escaped together on the morning of 6 August. The remainder of my experiences are as related in his report, except that on 13 August 1944 I was transported by air from Rennes to airstrip B.18 where I was in hospital until 17 August.