Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Warrant Officer

Unit:

No. 626 Squadron, Royal Air Force

"Flying Officer Breckenridge, Pilot Officer Baker and Warrant Officer Meek were pilot, mid-upper gunner and navigator respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Berlin one night in January 1944.  Whilst over the target area, the aircraft was hit by bullets from a fighter.  Much damage was sustained, the wireless operator was killed and the rear gunner was wounded.  Pilot Officer Baker was also wounded, being hit in the face and rendered unconscious.  Nevertheless, Flying Officer Breckenridge evaded the attacker and, displaying great determination, resumed his bombing run and successfully attacked the target.  Almost immediately the bomber was again hit by machine gun fire from the enemy aircraft, which had closed in.  This time, Warrant Officer Meek was severely wounded, a bullet penetrated his breast bone close to the heart and another one hit him in the shoulder.  Coolly and skilfully Flying Officer Breckenridge manoeuvred his badly damaged aircraft, however, and finally evaded the attacker.  By now, Pilot Officer Baker had recovered consciousness and, realizing that the aircraft was unprotected, immediately made his way to the rear turret and manned it in spite of his physical suffering, the intense cold and the lack of oxygen.  Pilot Officer Baker remained in the turret throughout the homeward flight, except for a short time when he left it to extinguish a fire which had commenced.  Meanwhile Warrant Officer Meek, though desperately wounded and suffering intensely, refused to leave his post.  Although deprived of practically all his navigational equipment, he plotted the route home with great skill.  Eventually Flying Officer Breckenridge reached base where he effected a successful crash landing.  His skill, courage and coolness in the face of heavy odds were worthy of the highest praise.  Pilot Officer Baker and Warrant Officer Meek proved themselves to be valiant members of aircraft crew, displaying great courage, fortitude and devotion to duty.  In spite of their injuries and much suffering they did all that was possible to assist in the safe return of the aircraft."

DFC's were awarded to Pilot Officer Baker and Flying Officer Breckenridge.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Unit:

No. 626 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

November 17th, 1944

Recommendation (dated 1 August 1944 when he had flown 28 sorties (144 hours 50 minutes)), 16 December 1943 to 6 July 1944:
"Pilot Officer Meek, a Canadian, is a Navigator who has carried out 28 operational flights against the enemy. Since the award of the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal in February 1944 he has done 22 operational flights, many of them against such distant and heavily defended targets as Berlin, Magdeburg and Friedrichshaven, the enemy capital city having been his targets on four occasions.

Pilot Officer Meek has at all times carried out his duties in a most exemplary manner, his work being of the highest order under the strongest opposition the enemy could muster. His cool, quiet disregard of personal safety and the efficiency with which he navigated his aircraft inspired his crew to the highest standard of morale they achieved, and ensured a maximum safety for his aircraft and crew.

I strongly recommend that the gallantry displayed by this officer, coupled with the high order of his technical achievements, which were an inspiration not only to his crew but to all the navigators in the squadron, be recognized by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."