Gordon, William Campbell (Flying Officer)

Born in Owen Sound, Ontario, 1913; home there. Enlisted in Toronto, 22 November 1940. Trained at No.2 ITS (graduated 26 July 1941), No.5 BGS (graduated 4 August 1941), No.5 AOS (graduated 21 June 1941), and No] CNS (graduated 1 September 1941). Commissioned 1941 156 Squadron (We Light The Way), Pathfinder Force. Lancaster aircraft crashed. Flying Officer Gordon was with 101 Squadron in a Wellington aircraft when he was shot down and wounded off the Dutch Coast on August 18, 1942. Please see Cobbett C.H. for operations detail and casualty list. Flying Officer Gordon also survived a crash landing in a 101 Squadron Lancaster aircraft on January 23, 1943. They had been attacked by an enemy fighter aircraft over the target and crashed at East Wretham, Kent, England. Addendum: - Pilot Officer Gordon was 30 years old at time of death, not 22. GORDON, Pilot Officer William Campbell (116260) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.101 Squadron - Award effective 1 July 1943 as per London Gazette dated 13 July 1943 and AFRO 1724/43 dated 27 August 1943. The citation reads - "Throughout his operational sorties with this squadron this officer has proved himself to be a very determined and skillful navigator who has displayed commendable courage and resource in hazardous circumstances. In August 1942 he was one of a crew whose aircraft was forced down at sea following an attack by enemy fighters. After eleven hours in the dinghy they were eventually rescued, though Pilot Officer Gordon was injured. On another occasion while on a sortie to Essen this officer's aircraft was badly damaged by night fighters. The rear gunner was killed and another member of the crew wounded. Throughout all these perilous experiences, however, Pilot Officer Gordon has combined tenacity with endurance and displayed skill worthy of high praise." Detail provided by H. Halliday, Orleans, Ontario.