Berven, Bruce Martin (Warrant Officer 1)

Born 1918; home in Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan (mechanic); enlisted in Flin Flon, Manitoba, 28 June 1941. Trained at No.4 ITS (graduated 11 September 1941), No.6 EFTS (graduated 8 November 1941) and No.11 SFTS (graduated 27 February 1942). Killed in action with No.40 Squadron, 17 September 1943 (Wellington HF534); 40 Squadron (Hostem A Coelo Expellere). Wellington aircraft HF 534 was seen to burst into flames and then crash four miles off the coast near Cervetori. WOs H.A. Pennell, P.E. Nichols, FSs J. Hawkyard (RAF), and W.G. Webster (RAF) were also killed. . Addendum: - Distinguished Flying Medal No.40 Squadron - Award effective 20 April 1943 as per London Gazette dated 1 October 1943 and AFRO 2322/43 dated 12 November 1943. name on Malta Memorial. Award presented to next-of-kin, 12 December 1944. NOTE: Although the award is effective 20 April 1943, the citation refers to events of July 19431 The citation reads - "This airman has completed twenty-seven sorties and is a most determined and skillful captain of aircraft. He has taken part in attacks against targets in Tunisia, Pantelleria, Sicily and Italy. On the night of the invasion of Sicily he delivered an accurate low level attack on the seaplane base at Syracuse." Detail provided by H. Halliday, Orleans, Ontario.