Topic: RCAF
The George Cross to the RCAF in the Second World War
Central Chancery Of The Orders Of Knighthood.
St. James's Palace, S.W.I, 11th June, 1942.
The KING has been graciously pleased, on the advice of Canadian Ministers, to approve the posthumous award of the GEORGE CROSS to the undermentioned:
Leading Aircraftman K. M. Gravell (deceased)
Royal Canadian Air Force.
In November, 1941, a training aircraft crashed and immediately burst into flames. Leading Aircraftman Gravell, who was under training as a wireless air gunner, managed to extricate himself from the wreckage and get clear. In spite of the intense shock caused by the loss of one eye and severe burns, suffered at the time of the crash, Leading Aircraftman Gravell's first and only thought was for the welfare of his pilot. The pilot was still in the aircraft and Gravell ignoring his own serious injuries and the fact that his clothes were ablaze attempted to get back to the flaming wreckage to pull him clear. He had barely reached the aircraft when he was dragged away and rolled on the ground to extinguish the flames which had, by this time, completely enveloped his clothing. Leading Aircraftman Gravell subsequently died from his burns. Had he not considered his pilot before his own safety and had he immediately proceeded to extinguish the flames on his own clothing, he would probably not have lost his life.
Government House, Ottawa
28th December, 1943
Royal Canadian Air Force
The King has been graciously pleased to approve the following Award:
George Cross (Posthumous)
R.1793114 Lending Aircraftman Kenneth Gerald Spooner (Deceased)
No. 4 Air Observer School.
This airman, a student Navigator with no pilot training displayed great courage, resolution and unselfishness in the face of harassing circumstances when the pilot of the aircraft fainted at the controls. White other crew members were vainly trying to remove him from his seat he temporarily regained consciousness and froze on the controls causing the aircraft to loose altitude rapidly. Immediately after the pilot became indisposed, L.A.C. Spooner, with extreme coolness and courage assumed charge, ordered the remainder of the crew to bail out while he look over the controls and endeavoured to keep the aircraft at a safe height. Three memben of the crew bailed out as instructed and shortly after the aircraft crashed carrying the unconscious pilot and L.A .C. Spooner to their death. The crash occurred approximately one hour after the pilot had lost control. This airman, with complete disregard for his personal safety and in conformity with the highest tradition of the Service sacrificed his life in order to save the lives of his comrades.
Central Chancery Of The Orders Of Knighthood.
St. James's Palace, S.W.I, 27th October, 1944.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards of the GEORGE CROSS, the George Medal and the British Empire Medal (Military Division) to the undermentioned: —
Awarded The GEORGE CROSS.
Air Commodore Arthur Dwight Ross, O.B.E.
Royal Canadian Air Force.
Awarded the George Medal.
- Can/R.96959 Flight Sergeant Joseph Rene Marcel St. Germain, Royal Canadian Air Force.
- Can/R.87217 Corporal Maurice Marquet, Royal Canadian Air Force.
Awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division).
- Can /R.273581 Leading Aircraftman Melvin Muir McKenzie, Royal Canadian Air Force.
- Can/R.i88008 Leading Aircraftman Robert Rubin Wolfe, Royal Canadian Air Force.
One night in June, 1944, an aircraft, while attempting to land, crashed into another which was parked in the dispersal area and fully loaded with bombs. The former aircraft had broken into 3 parts and was burning furiously. Air Commodore Ross was at the airfield to attend the return of aircraft from operations and the interrogation of aircrews. Flight Sergeant St. Germain a bomb aimer, had just returned from an operational sortie and 'Corporal Marquet was in charge of the night ground crew, whilst leading Aircraftmen McKenzie and Wolfe were members of the crew of the crash tender. Air Commodore Ross with the assistance of Corporal Marquet, extricated the pilot who had sustained severe injuries. At that moment ten 500 lb. bombs in the second aircraft, about 8o yards away, exploded, and this officer and airman were hurled to the ground. When the hail of debris had subsided, cries were heard from the rear turret of the crashed aircraft. Despite further explosions from bombs and petrol tanks which might have occurred, Air Commodore Ross and Corporal Marquet returned to the blazing wreckage and endeavoured in vain to swing the turret to release the rear gunner. Although the port tail plane was blazing furiously, Air Commodore Ross hacked at the perspex with an axe and then handed the axe through the turret to the rear gunner who enlarged the aperture. Taking the axe again the air commodore, assisted now by Flight Sergeant St. Germain as well as by Corporal Marquet, finally broke the perspex steel frame supports and extricated the rear gunner. Another 500 Ib. bomb exploded which threw the 3 rescuers to the ground. Flight Sergeant St. Germain quickly rose and threw himself upon a victim in order to shield him from flying debris. Air Commodore Ross's arm was practically severed between' the wrist and elbow by the second explosion. Pie calmly walked to the ambulance and an emergency amputation was performed on arrival at station sick quarters. Meanwhile, Corporal Marquet had inspected the surroundings, and seeing petrol running down towards two nearby aircraft, directed their removal from the vicinity by tractor. Leading Aircraftmen McKenzie and Wolfe rendered valuable assistance in trying to bring the fire under control and they also helped to extricate the trapped reai gunner both being seriously injured by flying debris.
Air Commodore Ross showed fine leadership and great heroism in an action which resulted in the saving of the lives of the pilot and rear gunner. He was ably assisted by Flight Sergeant St. Germain and Corporal Marquet who both displayed courage of a high order. Valuable service was also rendered 'by Leading Aircraftmen McKenzie and Wolfe in circumstances of great danger.
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