Butler, Vernon Stanley

Date of death:: March 8th, 1942
Buried on:: French-British War Cemetery Marissel
Grave: 220.
Nationality:: British

Biography

Vernon Butler entered the RAF in 1935 on a commission as acting pilotofficer after a year's training. Following completion of his training he was posted to No. 226 Squadron.
with which he served five years. He was promoted pilot officer in1937, flying officer 1938, flight lieutenant 1940, squadron leader 1941and acting wing commander a month later. From 1937 to 1940 he was adjutant of the squadron.
At the outbreak of WW2 he was sent to France as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force.

On 8 March 1942 Butler led the daylight raid on the Matford factory at Poissey
Releasing their bombs at low-level, the Douglas Boston which Butler piloted was caught by the blast and severely damaged necessitating an emergency landing. As the aircraft touched down it hit a tree at high speed and exploded,killing all three crewmembers.

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Wing Commander
Unit:: No. 226 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: September 2nd, 1941

Citation (general):
"In July 1941, large scale attacks were made on Germanwarships at Brest and La Pallice (including the "Gneisenau","Scharnhorst" and "Prinz Eugen"). A smaller attack wasmade on Cherbourg. The operations were carried out indaylight and extremely heavy and accurate anti-aircraftfire and fighter opposition were encountered by allaircraft when approaching the targets, which at Brestwas protected by a balloon barrage. The aircrews engagedsucceeded, nevertheless, in securing direct hits ontheir objectives and in inflicting very severe damage inthe target area. During the combats with enemy fighters21 hostile aircraft were destroyed and others wereseverely damaged. The precise timing of attack by thevarious formations of aircraft and their correctapproach to and accurate bombing of the objectives inthe face of such powerful opposition, demanded greatskill and high courage. The great success of theseoperations was largely due to the bravery, determinationand resource displayed by the following officers andairmen, who participated in various capacities asleaders and members of the aircraft crews"