Date of birth:

March 20th, 1921 (Folkestone/Kent, Great Britain)

Date of death:

August 29th, 2015

Service number:

1332572 (NCO)/131973 (Officer)

Nationality:

British

Edward Hearn left school at 14 and started working for the land agency office of Lord Radnor in Folkestone. He joined the RAF in January 1941 and began training as a pilot in Canada but after 200 hours he was re-trained as a navigator. In March 1943, he joined No 50 Squadron at Waddington near Lincoln where he flew as a bomb aimer.
After recovering from his wounds (see CGM-citation) he became the bombing leader of No. 50 Squadron and was heavily involved in bombing targets in France in the build-up for DDay.
On August 7, 1944 his lancaster was shot down by a German fighter but he managed to bail out and hid in a wood for three days before meeting a Frenchman who gave him shelter and put him in touch with members of the Resistance who escorted him across the Seine, heading west and was finally collected by the airborne forces in Marais-Vernier after which he soon returned to England.
For the actions that resulted him ebeing shot down he was awarded a bar to his DFC.
After service in India, he left the RAF in September 1946.
Post-war, he managed building projects and, after some years in the North of England, worked for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in France. Later he was a partner with a British firm in Brussels.
In 1947 he returned to France to thank those who had sheltered him. During the visit he met his future wife, Paule, and they were married in 1949. He was chairman of the RAF Escaping Society in Belgium and president of the Royal Air Forces Association branch in Brussels.

Promotions:
? Corporal
9 October, 1942: Pilot Officer on Probation (emergency)
9 April, 1943: Flying Officer on Probation (war sub)
? Flight Lieutenant (war sub)

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

July 23rd, 1943

Citation:
"One night in June, 1943, Flying Officer Hearn and Sergeants Pointon and Wilkinson
were air bomber, mid-upper gunner and flight engineer respectively of an aircraft, piloted by Sergeant Wilkie, detailed to attack Cologne. Whilst over the target area, the bomber was hit by antiaircraft fire. The windscreen round the pilot's cabin was shattered and Sergeant Wiikie was blinded by flying splinters. Despite this he remained ac the controls. Flying Officer Hearn and Sergeant Wilkinson were injured by fragments of shrapnel. Nevertheless, the former uncomplainingly remained at his post ready to release his bombs whilst Sergeant Wilkinson went to the assistance of his pilot and .the bombing run was completed. Still unable to see. Sergeant Wiikie remained at the controls, piloting his aircraft by touch, being aided in various ways by the flight engineer and by Flying Officer Hearn who directed him in avoiding the searchlights and continuous anti-aircraft fire to which the bomber was subjected.
Some time later, whilst still over enemy territory, Sergeant Wiikie recovered his vision in one eye and soon succeeded in flying clear of the defences, afterwards flying the aircraft back to this country. In the course of the action Sergeant Pointon had one finger severed when his turret was damaged by a shattering blow. Although in considerable pain he remained at his post, constantly alert to the danger of fighter interference. In most harassing circumstances these members of aircraft crew displayed courage, fortitude and determination of the highest order.'"

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

January 16th, 1945

• - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36104/supplement/3326
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35885/supplement/599
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36030/supplement/2367
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36894/supplement/413
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