I saw this chaps medals and some related letters, pictures etc on the Antique Roadshow. The family members seemed to know a biit about him but I thought it would be worth starting a thread to see if we could come up with anything the family doesn't know - assuming they'll search the internet. I have both citations and have typed them up below. Anyone know anything else about him? CWGC :: Certificate 1813968 Sergeant Victor Arthur Roe DFM (Immediate) No.35 Squadron. LG: 13/6/1944 Sorties: 19 Flying Hours: 108 Role: Air Gunner Original Citation: Air 2/9468 On the night of 8th/9th May, 1944, Sergeant Roe was rear gunner in a Lancaster detailed to attack Haine-St.Pierre. As the aircraft was approaching the target, two Ju.88's were encountered but successfully evaded. Shortly afterwards, an Me. 110 was encountered which made four successive attacks using canon and machine-gun fire. Sergeant Roe reurned fire and on each occasion although his turret had been hit and become unserviceable, resulting in Sergeant Roe being covered in oil. When the Me. 110 made the fourth attack, it was seen to have caught fire in one engine and it is claimed as probably destroyed. Throughout the combat, Sergeant Roe handled his guns with cool determination, clearing stoppages in between attacks although he had received a slight injury in his right arm from a cannon splinter early in the encounter. He carried on, showing a fine offensive spirit. Sergeant Roe is a very reliable Air Gunner who has always carried out his duties most conscientiously. At all times his courage, skill and determination are a fine inspiration to his crew. In recognition of his courage and devotion to duty during the combats of the night of 8th/9th May, 1944, this NCO is recommended for an immediate award of Distinguished Flying Medal. 17th May 1944 Remarks by Station Commander: Recommended. This NCO displayed courage and determination of a high order throughout that atacks. 1813968 Acting Warrant Officer Victor Arthur Roe DFM CGM No.35 Squadron. LG: 13/4/1945 In recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.
Warrant Officer VICTOR ARTHUR ROE C G M 1813968, 35 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died age 21 on 06 March 1945 D.F.M. Son of Clifton Blythe Roe and Laura Harriet Roe, of Norwich. Remembered with honour RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Runnymede Panel 269
From 'We Act With One Accord'- 35 Squadron history: Re 5/6 March 1945- Chemnitz Flight Lt Watson DFC, ME333, 'TL-S' (Lancaster) failed to return from the operation, he and his crew were all later recorded as being killed. In his crew Warrant Officer Victor Roe, aged 21 from Norwich, had been awarded an immediate DFM in 1944 after only 19 operations. His aircraft was attacked by fighters and, despite being hit in the hand by a cannon splinter, he was able to shoot down an Me110. His Conspicuous Gallantry Medal award was for a massive 85 operations- his fourth tour.
One of his brothers grandsons has an entry for him on their Ancestry family tree. I have put a comment on with the link to this thread so maybe we will hear more. I saw Antiques Roadshow too. Dee
Yes, scarcely believable that he was on his 85th Operation and just 2 months from the end of the war in Europe when he was killed. In the LG citation, it mentions 108 flying hours, so that must be at least until his 19th (or earlier) Op when he shot down the night fighter, as it was not unknown for flights to be of over 6 hours duration. And a CGM! Only 100 or so issued to RAF personnel. Remarkable. 35 Squadron Lancaster ME333 Serial Number: ME333. Squadron Code: TL-S. Operation: Chemnitz. 5th/6th March 1945 ME333 was a Mk.111 and delivered to 35 Squadron ex-32 MU in Nov 1944. ME333 took part in the following Key Operations: Cologne 23 Dec 44 (Daylight) Cologne 24/25 Dec 44; Bonn 4/5 Feb 45; Duisburg 21/22 Feb 45. Airborne 1728 5 Mar 45 from Gravely. Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. The DFM recipients, in order of crew, had their awards Gazetted 27 Mar 45; 19 Oct 43 and 13 Jun 44 respectively. W/O Holland had flown a tour with 51 Sqdn, but W/O Roe was a long serving member of 35 Sqdn. F/O Pentelow had wed Emma Caroline Pentelow of Calgary, Alberta. S/L F. Watson DFC KIA; F/S G. Cross DFM KIA; F/L K.S. Smith KIA; F/S S.O. Scott KIA; W/O L.G. Holland DFM KIA; F/O P.J. Pentelow RNZAF KIA; W/O V.A. Roe CGM DFM KIA. As a Pathfinder Squadron, they would have been ahead of the Main Force. For no wreckage or crew to have been found, either they came down in the North Sea or over the target and all trace destroyed by subsequent bombs. Alternatively, the records of the crash site and burial place may have been lost in the turmoil surrounding the collapse of the Third Reich.
Details related to the loss of W/O. V A. Roe CGM DFM..... 5-6 March 1945 35 Squadron Lancaster III ME333 TL-S Op. Chemnitz The aircraft took off from Graveley at 1728 hrs and was lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. The DFM recipients in order of crew, had their awards Gazetted on 27 March 1945, 19 October 1943 and 13 June 1944 respectively. W/O. Holland had flown a tour with 51 Squadron, but W/O. Roe was a long serving member of 35 Squadron. F/O. Pentelow, RNZAF had wed Emma Caroline Pentelow of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Crew. S/L. F. Watson DFC + F/S. G. Cross DFM + F/L. K S. Smith + F/S. S O. Scott + W/O. L G. Holland DFM + F/O. P J. Pentelow RNZAF + W/O. V A. Roe CGM DFM + 'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.6 - W R. Chorley
