B-52 Mitchell

Search Awards

 
Search within:
Search Type:
BRAY, Charles Lorne Sergeant, 103 Squadron, R78203 Distinguished Flying Medal RAF WWII
Description (click to view)
BRAY, Sergeant Charles Lorne (R78203) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.103 Squadron (AFRO says \"Attached to RAF\" but deceased at time of AFRO publication). Award effective 27 January 1942 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 358/44 dated 18 February 1944. Born 17 March 1919. Home in Toronto; enlisted there 15 October 1940. To No.1 ITS, 10 November 1940; graduated and promoted LAC, 8 December 1940; posted that date to No.9 EFTS; to No.5 SFTS, 3 February 1941. Graduated and promoted Sergeant, 10 April 1941. To Embarkation Depot, 21 April 1941; to RAF overseas, 24 April 1941. Killed with No.103 Squadron on 26 April 1942 (name on Runnymede Memorial). Cited with Sergeant Douglas W. Spooner (RAAF, awarded DFM). Award presented to next-of-kin, 22 April 1944. One night in January 1942, Sergeants Bray and Spooner were captain and second pilot, respectively, of an aircraft which participated in an attack on Wilhelmshaven. Sergeant Bray carried out a determined attack in spite of intense anti-aircraft fire but, when making a second run over the target, a violent explosion shook the aircraft and an ignited flare was blown from the rear of the bomb compartment into the fuselage where it set fire to the fabric, the floor and a seat. The aircraft was now brightly illuminated so that it was an easy target and, whilst held in a concentration of some thirty searchlights, was subjected to intense enemy fire. The situation began to appear hopeless and Sergeant Bray ordered the crew to escape by parachute. He then set the controls and, when making his way to the rear of the aircraft to ensure that the crew had left safely, he observed Sergeant Spooner still battling with the flames. Sergeant Bray thereupon returned to the controls and skilfully and coolly extricated his aircraft from a perilous situation. The flare eventually burned its way through the floor of the aircraft and Sergeant Spooner, having exhausted the extinguisher, finally subdued the flames with his gloved hands. He then went forward and, to enable Sergeant Bray to fulfil the duties of navigator, took over the controls. Although suffering acutely from the effects of the fumes, he flew the aircraft safely back to this country. Throughout, these airmen showed great courage and set an example worthy of the highest praise. Report on loss of some crew of Wellington Z1142, 10/11 February 1942, stated that aircraft, when over target at about 2000 hours a 4.5-inch flare stowed at the rear of the bomb compartment became detached and set fire to aircraft fabric and wooden floor of the beam gun seat. The fire spread rapidly, filling the aircraft with smoke. The pilot (Sergeant C.L. Bray, RCAF), after steering a westward course to ensure the aircraft was over land, ordered crew to abandon aircraft.). Those who did so were P/O G.E. McGill (RCAF, observer), Sergeant H.D. Whiting (RAAF, WOP/AG), Sergeant R.M. Coghlan (Wop/AG, RAF) and Sergeant E. Frais (rear gunner, RAF). The second pilot (Sergeant D.W. Spooner, RAAF) had not heard the bale-out order, managed to extinguished the fire, then help Sergeant Bray to bring the airplane back to England, landing at Grimsby about 2307 hours. P/O McGill was later shot by the Germans following the Great Escape. The website \"Lost Bombers\" has the following on Bray\'s loss. Wellington DV579, No.103 Squadron (PM-Z), target Rostock, 25/26 April 1942. Airborne at 2145 hours, 25 April 1942 from Elsham Wolds. Lost without trace. Crew all are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. These were Flight Sergeant C.L.Bray, DFM, RCAF; Sergeant F.O\'K. Eivers; Sergeant S.H.Harle; Sergeant A.F.Blencowe; Sergeant H.B.Bullen; Sergeant D.W.Musgrove. Training: Interviewed 20 July 1940 by F/O J.M. MacDonald - \"Very good appearance. Above average in personality. Was Lieutenant in Cadet Corps. Would recommend for commission.\" Course at No.1 ITS was 11 November to 9 December 1940. Courses in Mathematics (82/100), Armament, practical and oral (84/100), Visual Link (82/100), Drill (78/100), Law and Discipline (92/100). Placed 114th in a class of 198. \"Pilot material; retiring but sound - should develop confidence as training develops.\" Course at No.9 EFTS was 11 December 1940 to 28 January 1941 - Finch II aircraft 27.50 dual, 26.40 solo and 30 minutes in Link. \"Average student, rather slow to solo. Needs more time on aerobatics and instrument time.\" (G.B. Dunbar, Chief Flying Instructor). Ground courses in Airmanship (138/200), Airframes (148/200), Aero Engines (132/200), Signals, practical (47.5/50), Theory of Flight (56/100), Air Navigation (111/200), Armament, oral (174/200). Placed 10th in a class of 25. \"Ability average - Conduct good - This airman worked hard and made average progress. He is keen and tries very hard to succeed. With further training he should become a satisfactory NCO pilot.\" Course at No.5 SFTS was 28 January to 10 April 1941 - Anson aircraft (32.40 day dual, 44.25 day solo, 4.15 night dual, 6.20 night solo - also logged 15 hours in Link). \"Flies with confidence - a steady pilot.\" Ground courses in Airmanship (146/200), Armament, written (82/100), Armament, practical (75/100), Air Navigation (159/200), Signals, practical (43/50), Signals, written (78/100). \"Average in class. Very retiring but hard, steady worker.\" Placed 31st in a class of 43.