Service number:

517540

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Frederick Gardiner attended St Bart's. He left when he was 15 to work in Buckland Paper Mills, and then joined the RAF as an aircraftman in June 1934. He became a wireless operator, and, after service abroad, trained as an air observer. He passed and was promoted sergeant.

Promotion:
May 4th, 1950: Pilot Officer (permanent)
May 4th, 1951: Flying Officer
November 4th, 1953: Flight Lieutenant
January 1st, 1960: Squadron Leader
May 1st, 1963: Retirement at his own request

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

November 14th, 1939

Citation:
"In September, 1939, the aircraft in which Sergeant Gardiner was air observer was attacked by enemy aircraft and seriously damaged. Two petrol tanks were punctured and despite the fumes and much bleeding from a slight gunshot wound over the right eye, this airman continued his duties, and succeeded in setting an accurate course to the base. The aircraft caught fire on landing and, although his clothes were alight, Sergeant Gardiner commenced to extinguish the burning clothing of the wireless operator by rolling him on the ground, and beating the flames with his hands. Not until his efforts were successful did he attend to his own clothing."

• Photo 1: RAF
• Photo: RAF photo
  
• - The Dover War Memorial Project
  - The London Gazette Issue 34733 published on the 14 November 1939
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38970 published on the 18 July 1950
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 39222 published on the 8 May 1951
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 40010 published on the 6 November 1953
  - Seventh Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 41915 published on the 29 December 1959
  - Tenth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 43019 published on the 31 May 1963