I found an intersting news report in Yorkshire Evening Post of 28th November 1942 regarding Gunner Sidney Francis' actions in an air raid on Canterbury. From the date I am assuming that the raid was the "Baedeker" raid on the 31st October 1942 by FW190's of JG2 and JG26 http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/10/a6019210.shtml The only record I can find for the MM award is to: 111254447 FRANCIS Sidney Arthur 73 LAA Regiment Royal Artillery, gazetted 26th November 1942. The news report appears two days after the award is gazetted. I can't find the citation and the reference gives Midddle East as Theatre? Does anyone know if the 73 LAA Regiment were in Kent at this time? Many thanks Guy
The units war diary ref has them in the UK during 1942 as does the following website: http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/laa/page67.html
good day guy hudson yesterday.12:09.pm.#1.bofors gunner mm.for action in canterbury raid.a most interesting post,a revealing link,thank you for posting.a great thumbnail of a deserving winner of mm.regards bernard85
By this date, it was no longer Baedeker Raids but the hit-and-run raids by FW190s and Me109s: perfect for 40mm Bofors gunners.
I cant find him on the National Archives website. Found him on London Gazette. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35799/supplement/5142 a few others either side of him on that list are on WO373/46. Has anyone got that entire file still ?
Using another name on LG list - Langmaid - I've just checked the MM file for that LG date and most recommendations are for men attached to LRDG or L Det SAS... However, there is usually a note on the copy of LG filed along with the recommendations if a citation is missing from the names appearing on LG list, This LG copy has an * next to Gunner Francis' name Seems to be something of a circular journey, I'm afraid, since the other newspaper report mentioned in post 1 is also of the same date.
