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Menzies, John Watherston

Date of death:
July 6th, 1944
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Graves Protestant Churchyard Makkum
Row: O. Grave: 35.
Service number:
108868
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

At the time of his death, Menzies flew with No. 161 "Special Duties" Squadron.
Hudson IIIA FK790 took off on 5/6/1944 at 23:50 from RAF Tempsford, detailed to drop 4 Dutch secret agents including Jan Bockma The aircraft was shot down by a German nightfighter. All crew member and Dutch agents were lost.
In 1997 the aircraft wreck was recovered from the IJsselmeer and a positive identifiction was made on the remains of Menzies who was to to rest in 1998 at the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in Makkum, The Netherlands.

Promotions:
30 september 1941: Pilot Officer on Probation (emergency)
30 september 1942: Flying Officer (war sub)
30 september 1943: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No. 101 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
November 6th, 1942
Citation:
"This officer has displayed outstanding coolness and courage under all circumstances. Throughout the time he has served in this squadron. Flight Lieutenant Menzies has been responsible for promoting a very high standard of keenness and efficiency. He has proved himself fully competent to command his flight in the absence of a commander"
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

With "FRANCE AND GERMANY" clasp.
Air Crew Europe Star

Sources