Alexander, Edward Sudbury (Squadron Leader)

Born in UK, home in Montreal; bank clerk. Home in Vancouver;enlisted there 3 September 1940. Trained at No. 2 ITS (graduated 26 February 1941), No. 3 AOS (graduated 26 May 1941) and No. 2 BGS (graduated 7 July 1941) and No. 1 ANS (graduated 4 August 1941). Commissioned 4 June 1942. Invested at Buckingham Palace November 1942. Killed in Action 14 January 1944 (Lancaster ND357, No.156 Squadron); buried in Holland. 156 Squadron (We Light The Way), Pathfinder Force. Lancaster III aircraft ND 357 GT-G shot down by night fighter during operations. Squadron Leader ES Alexander DFC DFM (RCAF), W/C NR Mansfield DFC (RAF)(NZ), Flight Lieutenant CR Swinney DFC (RAF), Pilot Officer BA Trott (RAF), Flying Officer GW Penrose (RAF), FS VN Cawdery (RAF), and Warrant Officer CH Lawrance DFM (RAF) were killed. Distinguished Flying Medal - No. 419 Squadron - Award effective 22 May 1942 as per London Gazette of that date. The citation reads - "One night in April 1942, Flight Sargeant Alexander was observer on an aircraft detailed to attack Kiel. The attack was completely successful but on the return flight the aircraft was engaged by an enemy fighter. Damage was caused to the port airscrew and the hydraulic system, and the rear turret was so severely damaged that the gunner was unable to open its doors. Flight Sergeant Alexander, although slightly wounded in the arm, forced the turret doors with an axe and helped the rear gunner out. Although nearly all the instruments were unserviceable, Flight Sargeant Alexander's skillful navigation was mainly responsible for the safe return of the aircraft and crew. The courage and high sense of duty displayed by this airman has been an inspiration to the other members of the crew." ALEXANDER, Flight Lieutenant Edward Sudbury, DFM (315543) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.156 Squadron - Award effective 10 January 1944 as per London Gazette dated 18 January 1944 and AFRO 410/44 dated 25 February 1944. "This officer has completed many successful operations against the enemy in which he has displayed high skill, fortitude and devotion to duty." Squadron Leader Navigator Alexander is buried in the Canadian War Cemetery, Bergen-Op-Zoom, Holland. Detail provided by H. Halliday, Orleans, Ontario.