Evans, Bernard "Bunny"

Service number:: 755262
Nationality:: British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Bunny Evans enlisted in the RAFVR in July 1939 and being considered too old to be a pilot - he was 32 at the time - was selected for training as an air gunner. On completion of training he was posted to No. 4 Squadon as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force in Lille. Until the retreat to Dunkirk Evans flew 5 reconnaissance and photogrphic sorties in the Westland Lysander. In September 1940 he was posted to Egypt and joined no. 70 Squadron.in support of the Greek and North African Campaign.
In February 1942 he returned to the UK and after a spell being posted as an air gunnery instructor he was placd on operational sorites again.
On May 30 1942 he set off in R1791 targetted for Hamburg but over Belgium the aircraft was shot down by an Me 110. Yet Evans managed to bale out by parachute and was rescued by the Belgium Resistance.He was passed on to the French Resistance who guided him over the Pyrenees. On Uagust 18 he arrived in Gibraltar and within 24 hours he was flown back to the UK.
In fear or further capture he did return to operational flying anymore but continued as a gunnery instructur. He left the service in October 1945.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flight Sergeant
Unit:: No. 108 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: April 7th, 1942

The citation mentions his long service and drew attention to his skill during the ground-strafing sorties. It concluded with the comment "by his leadership he has been an inspiration both in the air and on the ground to all air gunners with whom he has come in contact".

Invested on Buckingham Palace 23 December, 1943.