Deverill, Ernest Alfred

Date of birth:: 1916 (Gillingham/Kent, Gret Britain)
Date of death:: December 17th, 1943 (Graveley/Cambridgeshire, Great Britain)
Nationality:: British

Biography

Service number 45546.

Ernest Deverill joined the Royal Air Force as a trainee apprentice after leaving school. In 1938 he undertook pilot training, and in May 1940 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for outstanding bravery whilst flying a Lockeed Hudson from Norway to RAF Bircham Newton although this contradicts with other available information (see below).
In 1941 he joined 97 Squadron, on being commissioned, flying Lancaster bombers. By then a very experienced pilot, he was captain of one of twelve crews selected for the important and hazardous long range daylight attack on Augsburg, southern Germany. Despite heavy losses the target, a vital factory, was successfully bombed; the attack leader, John Nettleton was awarded the Victoria Cross and he won his first Distinguished Flying Cross.
In December 1943 he was captain of a 97 Squadron Lancaster, one of a major force attacking Berlin. The raid was completed successfully, but on returning to base on 17th December, widespread very bad weather conditions and shortage of fuel prevented normal landing, and the aircraft crashed, killing him and six of his crew. This was one of twenty nine Lancaster bombers lost that night under the same circumstances.
He is buried in Docking Churchyard on the north western side.

Promotions:
April 8th, 1941: Pilot Officer (probation)
April 8th, 1942: Flying Officer (war sub)
April 8th, 1943: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)

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Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Sergeant
Awarded on:: July 9th, 1940

The award followed an early morning shipping strike off the Elbe Estuary, where the Hudson was attacked by three ME109’s. Deverill (at that time a Sergeant) was the navigator in the three-man crew. The gunner, Townend, was killed after shooting down one fighter and Deverill and the pilot (P/O R T Kean) were injured. Deverill helped the pilot fly the plane back to Bircham Newton. Deverill was awarded the DFM, Kean the DFC.

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Pilot Officer
Unit:: No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: April 28th, 1942

Citation:
"On 17th April 1942 a force of twelve Lancaster heavy bombers was detailed to deliver an attack in daylight on the diesel engine factory at Augsburg in Southern Germany. To reach this highly important military target and return, a most daring flight of some 1000 miles over hostile country was necessary. Soon after entering enemy territory and whilst flying at a very low level the force was engaged by 25 to 30 enemy fighters. Later, the most intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Despite this formidable opposition eight of the bombers succeeded in reaching the target and in delivering a successful attack on the factory. The following officers and airmen who participated, in various capacities, as members of the aircraft crews, displayed courage, fortitude and skill of the highest order."

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Flight Lieutenant
Unit:: No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: November 20th, 1942

Citation:
"Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, this officer has taken part in 30 sorties, including many attacks on targets in the Ruhr area. In the daylight attack on the transformer station near Le Creusot, Flight Lieutenant Deverill bombed his objective from a height of 500 feet. He also participated in the recent raids on Milan and Genoa.
This officer has invariably endeavoured to press home his attacks with great vigour."

Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.

Air Force Cross (AFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flight Lieutenant
Awarded on:: January 1st, 1944

Awarded posthumously.

Sources

- The London Gazette Issue 34892 published on the 9 July 1940
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35539 published on the 24 April 1942
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35791 published on the 17 November 1942
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36309 published on the 31 December 1943
- Parish West-Norfolk - Docking War memorial
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