43094 Squadron Leader Oliver Donald Brittain COE, DFC, 241 Squadron RAF

In researching the history of my cricket club (Timperley CC in Manchester) I have found a member who won the DFC in WW2.

His name was O.D.B Coe and he has various references in the London Gazette as follows:-

1. Promotion to squadron leader in Sept. 1943 (Gazette 14/01/44).

2. Commission relinquished Sept 1948 (Gazette 31/01/50).

3. Comes off reserve list of TA officers in March 1967.

This all seems straight forward enough but in the Gazette entries there is reference to him also being a 2nd Lt in the Cheshire Regiment pre RAF(?), presumably early in WW2.

His retirement from the reserve list in 1967 was as a Lt (Hon. Lt.Col.) which are not RAF ranks.

Is anyone able to advise on this soldier / airmans service history and the circumstances he was awarded the DFC? I had hoped to pick up the citation in the gazette but could not see it.

Any help gratefully received.

Regards,

Gary Fisher

 

In looking through some microfilmed newspapers at the local library today I noted that Sqd.Ldr Coe earned his DFC in North Africa as leader of a 'Hurribomber' squadron. The newspaper report was dated 4th June 1943 so presumably his DFC was sarned 3 months or so previously.

 

Hello,

Granted a temporary commission with the RAF 11th April 1940.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34840/page/2557/data.pdf

His DFC.

Acting Squadron Leader Oliver Donald Brittain COE (43094), No. 241 Squadron.
In operations in North Africa this officer led the squadron on many bombing missions. One day in March, 1943, he participated in 2 attacks against Maknassy, where enemy positions were successfully bombed despite poor visibility. Squadron Leader Coe has invariably displayed skill and courage of a high order.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36036/supplement/2507/data.pdf

Pete

 

A final Gazette entry Oliver Coe | Deceased Estates | The Gazette
RIP. His obituary appeared in the Telegraph, no more needs to be said.

 

Kevin / Pete,

Many thanks for your update to this thread. Apologies for not responding sooner. I have been having IT issues.

Regards,

Gary

 

Kevin,

Struggling to find the Telegraph obituary. What date paper was it in?

Regards,

Gary

 

Simply put his full name into Google.
"Oliver Donald Brittain COE" and it is the second entry.
The only date shown is todays (default), but it shows it was added 3 years and 1 month ago.....

 

I thought Google searches were unique to the searcher? What order they appear is dependent on what you (or what Google thinks you) are most likely to be interested in based on your searching habits.

Edit: Maybe not as my search seems to replicate Owens

 

Hello Gary
My name is Jonathan David Britain Coe.
Son of Oliver Donald Britain Coe DFC.
My Father learnt his Cricket at Old Trafford, he was born and bred in Stretford.
As to his war record, what would you like to know?

 

Hello Jonathan Gary hasnt been on the forum since March17
i have sent him a message


regards
Clive

 

He also played for Knutsford after the war, opening bat with John Shelby.
He joined up in the Cheshires, but when deployed to France, he transferred to the RAF.
When in Cairo he married my mother who was Squadrom Leader in Signals.
See photos.

 

Thanks Clive

 

Jon,

Thank you for replying. I had thought that this thread was dead.

Your Dad also played at Timperley CC as well as at Knutsford (something i did not know). I have been researching Timperleys playing history and I picked up on his DFC award in reviewing WW2 scores at the library and thought that it would be good to write a piece on him for a forthcoming club newsletter hence starting this thread. His service history also took my interest in changing to the RAF from Army.

Anything on his War career would be of interest. Do you stil have his medal and log book? Fantastic picture of your Mum and Dad by the way!

There is a picture of him in our clubhouse aged 12 or so as a scorer.

Regards,

Gary

 

Thanks.

 

Clive
Of course, I forgot. He grew up in Timperley, a house called Sandown just off Wellington Road I think.
I do have a piece he wrote towards the end of the war. I would need to email it to you though. Too long to put on a post I think.
Although I see you can upload a file. Yes I will try that. I don't have it to hand so give me a little time.
Yrs
Jonathan

 

Jon,

Looking forward to seeing your Dads piece.

Best regards,

Gary

 

My research into Sqd. Ldr Coe continues (slowly!). In looking through the 241 Sqd ORB I can see that Sqd. Ldr Coe finishes his tour with 241 in January 1944 and is then posted to ' Staff College ME (Middle East?)'. I am surmising that that this might be in Cairo. Can anyone confirm? How long would a staff college course typically last and what happened normally after attending such a course? Does anyone have knowledge of where Sqd. Ldr Coe may have served through 1944 / 45?

 

Here is a photograph that I think has Sqd. Ldr Coe sitting centre, along with a picture of the back with some signatures on it.

I think the signatures are...

J.Townend
K.W (or H) Watts
S. (or J) Hawke
R.R Shawcross ?
?.Coe (Flight Lft.)
N.Wasp ?
R.N (or A) Webb
E.M.B Taylor
W (?) Griffiths P/O (Pilot Officer?)
There is a a surname bottom right. Perhaps Reynold? If anyone can decipher them differently I am open to advice.

The picture has a feint Blackpool marking in the bottom right hand corner so perhaps an RAF camp at / around Blackpool. Any offers?

 

Hi,

I am O.D.B Coe grandson. I came across this on google when searching about my grandfather and I have to say I am chuffed to see this post about him. Gary, you said that he earned a DFC in WW2, can I ask what is a DFC and what does that mean?