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Casson, Lionel Harwood "Buck"

Date of birth:
January 6th, 1915 (Sheffield/South Yorkshire, Great Britain)
Date of death:
October 8th, 2003
Service number:
91000
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

"Buck" Casson was shot down on September 8th, 1941. After this he was taken POW and imprisoned at Stalag Luft III.

Promotions:
July 23rd, 1939: Acting Pilot Officer;
April 6th, 1940: Pilot Officer (Seniority December 3rd, 1939);
December 3rd, 1940: Flying Officer (War Subs.);
December 3rd, 1941: Flight Lieutenant (War Subs.);
May 3rd, 1947: Flying Officer (Seniority January 31st, 1947);
October 2nd, 1950: Squadron Leader.

Career:
?: Birkdale School;
?: King's School, Ely;
April 6th, 1939: No. 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron;
October 7th, 1939: No. 2 Flying Training School, Brize Norton;
April 6th, 1940: No. 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron;
?: No. 6 Operational Training Unit, Sutton Bridge;
May 15th, 1940: No. 501 Squadron;
?: No. 79 Squadron;
July 7th, 1940: No. 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron;
September 8th, 1941: Krijgsgevangene;
May 3rd, 1947: No. 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron;
October 2nd, 1950 - November 2nd, 1954: Commanding Officer No. 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron;
November 2nd, 1954: Reserves;
May 3rd, 1957: Retirement.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No. 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
September 16th, 1941
Citation:
"This officer has been engaged on operations over a long period and has destroyed two, probably destroyed four and damaged" a further two enemy aircraft. Flight Lieutenant Casson carried out many offensive patrols following the Dunkirk evacuation and later fought in the Battle of Britain. This year he has participated in a large number of offensive patrols over Northern France. His efficiency, leadership and courage have set an excellent example."

LG 35276/5360.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
After War Period (1945-now)
Rank:
Squadron Leader
Unit:
Commanding Officer, No. 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
June 1st, 1953
Air Force Cross (AFC)

LG 39863/2989.
Period:
After War Period (1945-now)

Second AE awarded in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the first AE.
Air Efficiency Award (AE)

Sources

Photo