Manvell, Robert Edward

Date of death:: June 24th, 1944
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Graves Zuytpeene
Row: C. Grave: 1.
Service number:: 569921 (NCO)/51737 (Officer)
Nationality:: British

Biography

On the night of 23-24 June 1944, in Lancaster JB230 GT-S, captained by Pilot Officer D. Langford, D.F.C., Manvell was killed in action in a marker operation for a flying-bomb site at Coubronne. His aircraft crashed at Zuytpeene, four kilometres from Cassel, only one member of crew surviving to be taken P.O.W., the remainder being buried in the local churchyard.

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Flight Lieutenant
Unit:: No. 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: June 6th, 1944

Recommendation:
"Flight Lieutenant Manvell is the Squadron Flight Engineer Leader and has a fine operational record. He has completed 51 operational sorties, 21 of which have been with the Path Finder Force, against the most heavily defended targets in Germany. Apart from his duties as Engineer Leader, which he has carried out with zeal and efficiency, he has shown outstanding keenness to fly on operations on every possible occasion. His enthusiasm to undertake operational work has been an inspiration and, in particular, an example to the Flight Engineers entrusted to his care. His ability for training and instructing Flight Engineers, and his high sense of devotion to duty and his work on this squadron make him very worthy of the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."

Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Sergeant
Unit:: No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: May 14th, 1943

Recommendation:
"This airman has participated very successfully in numerous operational sorties. His targets have included Essen and other strongly defended industrial centres in the Ruhr. He also took part in raids on Berlin and Italy and with good effect. In daylight, he has attacked Milan, Le Creusot and Danzig. His skill and courage have been an example to all."