From the 466-462 Squadrons' Association, Sydney

Back, left to right:
Max BARKLA (Wireless Operator, and Signals Leader), RAAF
Dennis WHITEHEAD (Rear Gunner), UK
Tom GODSALL (Mid-Upper Gunner), UK
Pete MURRAY (Flight Engineer), Eire

Front, left to right:
Nick NICHOLS (Navigator), UK
Dave SHANNON (Pilot and Squadron Commanding Officer), RAAF
Jack CROSS (Bomb Aimer, and Deputy Bombing Leader), RNZAF

 

Crew 1, 462 Squadron, 4 Group, Driffield, Aug-Dec 1944;
462 Squadron, 100 Group, Foulsham, from January 1945.

Pilot: David Eliot Strachan SHANNON (Dave)
Wireless Operator: Frank Maxwell BARKLA (Max)
Navigator: Basil Gordon NICHOLS (Nick)
Bomb Aimer: John Arthur CROSS (Jack)
Mid-Upper Gunner: Thomas GODSALL (Tom)
Rear Gunner: Dennis WHITEHEAD
Flight Engineer: H P MURRAY (Pete)
Special Duties (WINDOW)
Links to Additional crew information
Crew Ops at 466 Squadron, Driffield
Crew Ops at 462 Squadron, Driffield
Gallantry Awards: MiD and DFC for SHANNON, DFC for BARKLA, and CdeG for NICHOLS

Crew photo at left was kindly supplied by the 466-462 Squadrons' Association, via John Dann. The photo, with caption below left, was published in a blue multi-page flyer inviting veterans to attend their "40 Years After" RAAF 466-462 Squadrons Reunion, held at Cammeray, Sydney, NSW, on the 29 March 1985. (Cammeray is a suburb on lower North Shore of Sydney, NSW, ~ 5 km from the CBD.)

This photo of the Crew was also published in "Phoenix: Book 2" by Tony Batten, opposite page 3 in that book.
A similar photo, but with the Bomb Aimer front left, and the Navigator front right, was published in "To See the Dawn Again" by Lax & Kane-Maguire, page 114. Stance and facial expressions are almost identical in both photos, so they may have been taken in quick succession, most likely to correct the crew positions.

In most of the formal crew photos at 462 Squadron, the usual crew positions were:
Back: W/Op, R/AG. MU/AG, F/Eng.
Front: B/A, Pilot, Nav.

Can you assist with photos or Information for any or all members of this Crew? Please make contact.

Reference sources – Australian WW2 Nominal Roll; The National Archives of Australia (462 Squadron Operational Record Book); Australian War Memorial; London Gazette Archives; Air Force List; National Library of Australia (Trove); various books as noted in the text (book details in Acknowledgements).

Australian War Memorial UK2483

Pilot

Name: David Eliot Strachan SHANNON (Dave)
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 400493
Date of Birth: 29 January 1916
Place of Birth: Geelong, Victoria
Date of Enlistment: 14 September 1940
Place of Enlistment: Melbourne, Vic
Next of Kin: Ford SHANNON
Date of Discharge: 01 July 1947
Rank at Discharge: Flight Lieutenant
Posting at Discharge: 462 Squadron
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Distinguished Flying Cross
Prisoner of War: No

Photo at left, AWM Caption: "London, England. 24 January 1945. Portrait of 400493 Wing Commander D. E. S. Shannon, DFC, of Geelong, Vic, at RAAF Overseas Headquarters."

On that date, Shannon was awarded his DFC by the King.

Australian War Memorial UK2475

Above, front row, 2nd from left Wing Commander David Eliot Strachan SHANNON, 400493 RAAF, 462 Squadron, on 24 Jan 1945.
AWM caption – "Group portrait of RAAF pilots proceeding to take up posts with QANTAS after an investiture by His Majesty King George VI at Buckingham Palace."
Back, L-R: F/O A E Kell 412969; S/Ldr L D Leicester 416687; F/O N M McClelland 414153; F/O R N Mullins 410691 – all DFC and Bar.
Front, L-R: S/Ldr H B Locke 401980 DSO DFC; Shannon DFC; F/Lt A R H Morris 411038 DFC; F/O F N Davis 420642 DFC.
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Wireless Operator

Name: Frank Maxwell BARKLA (Max)
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number: 407924
Date of Birth: 22 April 1914
Place of Birth: Adelaide, South Australia
Date of Enlistment: 03 February 1941
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide, SA
Next of Kin: Frank BARKLA
Date of Discharge: 16 August 1945
Rank at Discharge: Flight Lieutenant
Posting at Discharge: 462 Squadron
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Distinguished Flying Cross
Prisoner of War: No

Photos of BARKLA below, left and right.

BARKLA is also in the group photo of Wireless Operators, March 1945, at 462 Squadron, Foulsham, seated, front row, 4th from left.

Australian War Memorial UK2638

Above, L-R: 1. F/Lt Frank Maxwell BARKLA, 407924 RAAF, 462 Squadron, after DFC Investiture at Buckingham Palace, March 1945; 2. unidentified woman; 3. F/O B W McCosker 413009; 4. W/O C H F McCosker 422032 (brothers); 5. unidentified woman; 6. W/O J L Landon WX12750 AIF; 7. Sgt R E Bunyan 26164; 8. Wg/Cdr J D Russell 261238; 9. Sgt Cameron WAAF, Scotland; 10. F/O W E Eagleton 403727; 11. F/O J E Wade 420411; 12. W/O S H Edwards 15613. (Four of this group are also in the adjacent photo, with variation in rank for Eagleton and Wade.)

Australian War Memorial UK13975

Above, L-R: S/Ldr W E Eagleton 403727; F/Lt Frank Maxwell BARKLA, 407924 RAAF, 462 Squadron; F/Lt J E Wade 420411; F/O B W McCosker 413009. All received their DFC at an Investiture held by King George VI at Buckingham Palace, March 1945.
(Pilot Eagleton, R/AG B W McCosker and Nav Wade were all in the same crew 54 at 466 Squadron. Eagleton replaced Dave Shannon as Flight Commander of "A" Flight at 466 Squadron, after Shannon was posted to 462 Squadron to take up the role of Commanding Officer. Sgt Cameron was most likely the same Sgt Catherine "Tommy" Cameron, WAAF Driffield ground staff, whom Eagleton married on 23 August 1945. Eagleton information from book "Brave and True" pages 223-225.) Return to top

Navigator

Name: Basil Gordon NICHOLS (Nick)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service Number: 1339111 * (later 190760)
Date of Birth: ......
Place of Birth: ......
Date of Enlistment: ......
Place of Enlistment: ......
Next of Kin: ......
Date of Discharge: ......
Rank at Discharge: ......
Posting at Discharge: ......
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: Croix de Guerre, 02 July 1945
Prisoner of War: No

NICHOLS has not been identified in any of the group photos taken at Foulsham. He was posted FROM 462 Squadron in January 1945.

* From the website http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/rfc_raf.pdf which details RFC and RAF Service Numbers: No. 1330001 to No. 1340000 were allocated from November 1940 at Uxbridge and Weston-super-Mare. This batch includes 1339111 for NICHOLS. Return to top

Bomb Aimer

Name: John Arthur CROSS (Jack)
Service: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Service Number: 405798
Date of Birth: ......
Place of Birth: ......
Date of Enlistment: ......
Place of Enlistment: ......
Next of Kin: ......
Date of Discharge: ......
Rank at Discharge: ......
Posting at Discharge: ......
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: ......
Prisoner of War: No

CROSS has not been identified in any of the group photos taken at Foulsham. He may have been posted FROM 462 Squadron with SHANNON and NICHOLS in January 1945 (but not recorded in ORB).
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Mid-Upper Gunner

Name: Thomas GODSALL (Tom)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service Number: 1579155 * (later 197832)
Date of Birth: ......
Place of Birth: ......
Date of Enlistment: ......
Place of Enlistment: ......
Next of Kin: ......
Date of Discharge: ......
Rank at Discharge: ......
Posting at Discharge: ......
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: ......
Prisoner of War: No

GODSALL has been tentatively identified in front row, 3rd from left, in group photo of "B" Flight Gunners, 462 Squadron, Foulsham, March 1945. (Please contact if you can confirm or correct this ID.)

* From the website http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/rfc_raf.pdf which details RFC and RAF Service Numbers: No. 1575001 to No. 1585000 were allocated from June 1941 at Birmingham. This batch includes 1579155 for GODSALL. Return to top

 

Rear Gunner

Name: Dennis WHITEHEAD
Service: Royal Air Force (VR ?)
Service Number: 1322318 *
Date of Birth: ......
Place of Birth: ......
Date of Enlistment: ......
Place of Enlistment: ......
Next of Kin: ......
Date of Discharge: ......
Rank at Discharge: ......
Posting at Discharge: ......
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: ......
Prisoner of War: No

WHITEHEAD has been tentatively identified in front row, 1st on left, in group photo of "B" Flight Gunners, 462 Squadron, Foulsham, March 1945. (Please contact if you can confirm or correct this ID.)

* From the website http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/rfc_raf.pdf which details RFC and RAF Service Numbers: No. 1311745 to No. 1325000 were allocated from November 1940 at Oxford. This batch includes 1322318 for WHITEHEAD. Return to top

 

Flight Engineer

Name: H P MURRAY (Pete)
Service: Royal Air Force (VR ?)
Service Number: 1866940 *
Date of Birth: ......
Place of Birth: ......
Date of Enlistment: ......
Place of Enlistment: ......
Next of Kin: ......
Date of Discharge: ......
Rank at Discharge: ......
Posting at Discharge: ......
WW2 Honours and Gallantry: ......
Prisoner of War: No

Murray may be seen seated in the front row, 6th from the left, in the group photo of Flight Engineers at 462 Squadron, Driffield. He was not in the June 1945 group photo at Foulsham.

* From the website http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/rfc_raf.pdf which details RFC and RAF Service Numbers: No. 1860001 to No. 1869700 were allocated from October 1942 at Cardington. This batch includes 1866940 for MURRAY. Return to top

Special Duties

462 Squadron, Driffield – crew carried out Bombing Ops

462 Squadron, Foulsham – Special duties

Some members of this crew carried out Ops with other Pilots after they relocated to 100 Group, Foulsham, Norfolk, and were therefore involved with Spoof Ops, and the use of WINDOW. See details in following Crew Ops section.

No record has been found of any of this crew participating in Special Duties Radio Counter Measures.

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Additional crew information

The RAAF Service Files (at National Archives of Australia – NAA) for SHANNON and BARKLA had not been digitised at the time of this website's renewal for 06 October 2019. The RNZAF file for CROSS was not available, and the RAF Service Files for the other crew members were similarly not available. Information presented here was sourced from the 462 Squadron Record Book (at NAA); Australian War Memorial (AWM); National Library of Australia – Trove newspapers online (transcribed as originally written); Air Force List; London Gazette Archives; and books or other sources as named in the text.
Information about the crew members and photos would be appreciated – please make contact if you can assist.

The following table shows Rank for the crew members at various times.

SHANNON, Dave – Pilot and Commanding Officer of 462 Squadron

14 September 1940 – Enlisted in RAAF at Melbourne, Victoria

31 August 1941 – Posted to 99 Squadron, RAF (over Europe)

08 November 1941 – Promoted to Flight Sergeant

15 February 1942 – Commissioned, to the rank of Pilot Officer

05 April 1942 – Posted to 162 Squadron, RAF (Middle East)

11 June 1942 – Mentioned in Despatches, at rank of Sergeant; London Gazette 11 June 1942, page 2526 , position 7 in list of RAAF recipients (see AWM Card in later Section)

15 August 1942 – Promoted to rank of Flying Officer

23 October 1943 – Promoted to rank of Flight Lieutenant

31 March 1944 – Posted to 466 Squadron, then located at Leconfield; Ops as detailed in following section

17 April 1944 – Promoted to rank of Squadron Leader

Undated 1944 – Flight Commander of "A" Flight, 466 Squadron (Eagleton in "Brave and True" records this as " A" Flight, however Connolly in the same book records it as "B" Flight).

03 June 1944 – Relocated with 466 Squadron to Driffield, Yorkshire; Ops as detailed in following section

14 (or 18) August 1944 – Posted TO 462 Squadron, Driffield, 4 Group, FROM 466 Squadron, Driffield, to take up the role of Commanding Officer of the re-formed 462 Squadron; promoted to rank of Wing Commander. (It is assumed that his crew was posted with him on the same date.) He was immediately sent to a Commander's Course, and during his absence, Acting S/Ldr MacDERMOTT temporarily carried out the role of Commanding Officer.

06 September 1944 – Returned from "Commander's Course"; assumed role of Commanding Officer of 462 Squadron, at the rank of Wing Commander.

29 September 1944 – News Report ( Article Identifier http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140574805 )
Dungog Chronicle : Durham and Gloucester Advertiser (NSW : 1894 – 1954), Friday 29 September 1944, page 3
(re-formatted from original newspaper layout, otherwise as written, also published by various other newspapers) ..... quote

R.A.A.F. OVER EUROPE
(By cable from London)
News items about airmen from Australian Provincial cities and towns
who are taking part in the invasion of Europe.
WING COMMANDERS WERE L.A.C.'s TOGETHER

The Commanding Officers of two Australian squadrons operating from one Britain-based station entered the R.A.A.F. on the same day, crossed the Pacific to Canada in the same ship and served as flight commanders in the same squadron. They are Wing Commanders W. Connolly, D.F.C., of Seaforth, N.S.W., and D. E. S. Shannon, of Toorak, Victoria. They first met in September, 1940, at Bradfield Park initial training school, Sydney, on the day they both entered the service as "rookies."
They did their initial training together, then separated, Shannon going to Narromine, Connolly to Mascot for further training. They met at Bradfield Park again on embarkation leave, and then found themselves on the same ship crossing to Canada. They were sent to different training centres in Canada, but Connolly later stayed in England; Shannon went to the Middle East. Connolly became a squadron leader and flight commander under Wing Commander D. T. Forsyth, from East Malvern, Victoria. Another flight commander was posted to the squadron—an Australian who had done a tour with Wellingtons in the Middle East. Along came Shannon. Wing Commander Forsyth was promoted to Group Captain and given charge of the station. Connolly was promoted to Wing Commander and given charge of one squadron; Shannon was promoted to Wing Commander and given command of another R.A.A.F. Squadron. Thus two men who were L.A.C.'s together and who served under the same C.O. as flight commanders, are now still serving under the same commanding officer—but both have their own squadrons. ................ end quote

For comparison, details below from "Brave and True", Australian WW2 Nominal Roll, and FORSYTH's RAAF Service File.
All three were of a similar age, each received a DFC, and had similar RAAF promotions and appointments.

Hamilton Wellesley CONNOLLY, DFC and bar, 402492 RAAF, date of birth 31 March 1918;
enlisted 16 September 1940 in Sydney;
later posted to 466 Squadron Leconfield, appointed "B" Flight Commander,
May 1944 appointed as Commanding Officer of 466 Squadron at rank of Wing Commander (replacing previous Commanding Officer FORSYTH); 03 June 1944, 466 Squadron relocated to Driffield;
discharged 09 August 1945.

Dudley Thomas FORSYTH, DFC, 141 RAAF, date of birth 14 June 1915; ["Lee" derived from Dudley]
enlisted 15 July 1936 in Point Cook, Victoria;
29 September 1943 posted to 466 Squadron Leconfield as Commanding Officer at rank of Wing Commander;
May 1944 promoted to Group Captain (and replaced by CONNOLLY as CO of 466 Squadron); from 15 June 1944 Station Commander of RAF Driffield, new location of 466 Squadron, and from August 1944 home of the newly reformed 462 Squadron; discharged 11 September 1946.

David Eliot Strachan SHANNON, DFC, 400493 RAAF, date of birth 29 January 1916;
enlisted 16 September 1940 in Melbourne, Victoria;
later posted to 466 Squadron, appointed Flight Commander at rank of Squadron Leader;
August 1944 posted to 462 Squadron, appointed as Commanding Officer at rank of Wing Commander;
discharged 01 July 1947.

14 November 1944 – Distinguished Flying Cross, at rank of Wing Commander, London Gazette, page 5208, position 12 in list of RAAF recipients (see AWM Card in later Section)

November 1944 – 462 Squadron ORB, Form 540, Part IV, Honours and Awards; During the month Aus.400493 Wing Commander D E S SHANNON was awarded the DFC.

29 November 1944 – News report published in The Age (Melbourne) Wednesday 29 November 1944, page 3

"NINETY AWARDS TO AIRMEN
Among 90 awards to members of the RAAF serving in European, Italian and Indian war theatres announced last night by the Acting Minister for Air (Mr Lazzarini) are 11 bars to the DFC, 76 DFCs and three DFMs. Victorian members decorated comprise the following ...... "
In the DFC list, the last name mentioned was " Wing-Com D E S SHANNON, of Barwon Heads, Victoria."

29 December 1945 – Relocated with 462 Squadron to Foulsham, 100 Group

30 December 1945 – Wg/Cdr SHANNON on leave; command of Squadron assumed by S/Ldr P M PAULL; SHANNON "was notified that he had been selected for the QANTAS Airways and would be repatriated to Australia in the near future." (from the ORB)

11 January 1945 – "At 1400 hours, an Informal parade of airman personnel of the Squadron was held to wish farewell to the Commanding Officer, Wing-Commander D E S SHANNON, DFC, who was being repatriated to Australia." (from the ORB)

17 January 1945 – Departed from 462 Squadron, Foulsham for "Special Duties" with QANTAS

24 January 1945 – Investiture by His Majesty King George VI, at Buckingham Palace; see photos in previous section – portrait of Shannon, and group photo with other recipients of DFC, all of whom were to be repatriated to Australia to take up posts with QANTAS. (SHANNON's role at QANTAS is not yet known, however he was not discharged from RAAF until July 1947.)

20 June 1946 – Engagement announced between Mollie, eldest daughter of Mr & Mrs D S GROUSE of Randwick, Sydney to David, second son of Mrs E M SHANNON and the late James Ford SHANNON of Barwon Heads, Victoria. (Sydney Morning Herald, Thurs 20 June 1946, page 16)

06 September 1946 – Marriage to Mollie Rita GROUSE, Sydney NSW (NSW Registry BDM)

10 January 1948 – Birth of a daughter, Virginia Ann, to Mollie (nee GROUSE) and David SHANNON, at St Luke's private hospital (Sydney Morning Herald, Tues 13 Jan 1948, page 16)

01 July 1947 – Discharged from RAAF at rank of Flight Lieutenant (posted TO QANTAS January 1945, any links with RAAF not known by this author)

Researchers please note – David Eliot Strachan SHANNON DFC of 462 Squadron, should not be mistaken for David John SHANNON, DSO and bar, DFC and bar; 407729 RAAF, from South Australia, and one of the "Dambusters".
Both were known as Dave, so take care when using Trove if using the search term "Dave Shannon".

 

CROSS, Jack – Bomb Aimer and Deputy Bombing Leader

From the Royal New Zealand Air Force, listed in postings TO the Squadron, but not in postings FROM the Squadron; only carried out 5 Ops, but his additional duties as Deputy Bombing Leader may have prevented a higher operational flying time.
Training in New Zealand and/or elsewhere, and other service history not yet known (by this author).

August 1944 – Posted TO 462 Squadron as Flying Officer
16 November 1944 – Recorded in Ops as Flight Lieutenant
In the ORB, he was also listed in error as F/Sgt, and as D A instead of J A CROSS.

 

NICHOLS, "Nick"- Navigator

August 1944 – Posted TO 462 Squadron as Flight Sergeant
06 Jan 1945 – Recorded in Ops as Warrant Officer

20 January 1945 – Promoted to Pilot Officer
... London Gazette, Tuesday 06 March 1945, Issue 36867, page 1252; RAFVR, Appointment to Commission as Pilot Officer, from rank of Warrant Officer, effective 20 January 1945, Service Number 1339111; new Officer's Service Number 190760.

20 July 1945 – Promoted to Flying Officer
... London Gazette, Friday 17 August 1945, Issue 37226, page 4176; RAFVR, Confirmation and Promotion, from Pilot Officer, to be Flying Officer, effective 20 July 1945, Service Number 190760.

July 1945 – ORB, Form 540, Part IV, Honours and Awards – "During the month, the undermentioned Warrant Officer was awarded the CROIX DE GUERRE (FRANCE) – (133911 sic) W/O NICHOLLS (sic) – Navigator"
..... London Gazette search did not locate any details of Award date and Citation. please make contact if you can assist.

In the ORB, he was also listed in error as D G instead of B G NICHOLS, several times as NICHOLLS, and with incorrect Service Numbers 339111 and 133911. (There was also a Mid-Upper Gunner R E Nicholls in the Squadron.)

 

MURRAY, Pete – Flight Engineer

August 1944 – Posted TO 462 Squadron as Sergeant
16 November 1944 – Recorded in Ops as Flight Sergeant, and posted FROM 462 Squadron as F/Sgt.

In the 462 Squadron ORB, he was also listed in error as R B, and G, and S P MURRAY.
In the original caption for the crew photo, Murray was noted as being from "Eire", so was apparently from somewhere in the southern Republic of Ireland.

 

WHITEHEAD, Dennis – Rear Gunner

August 1944 – Posted TO 462 Squadron as Sergeant
16 November 1944 – Recorded in Ops as Flight Sergeant, and posted FROM 462 Squadron as F/Sgt.

In the 462 Squadron ORB, there were no naming errors for MURRAY, and only one error in Service Number, 1322313.

 

GODSALL, Tom – Mid-Upper Gunner

August 1944 – Posted TO 462 Squadron as Flight Sergeant
09 March 1945 – Recorded in Ops as Warrant Officer, and posted FROM 462 Squadron as W/O in May 1945.

24 April 1945 – Promoted to Pilot Officer
... London Gazette, Tuesday 26 June 1945, Issue 37146, page 3315; RAFVR, Appointment to Commission as Pilot Officer, from rank of Warrant Officer, effective 24 April 1945, Service Number 1579155; new Officer's Service Number 197832.

Air Force List July 1945 – Index as T. Godsall 197832; Pilot Officers (Air Gunners and Wireless Operators) as of 24 April 1945

24 October 1945 – Promoted to Flying Officer
... London Gazette, Friday 30 November 1945, Issue 37370, page 5852; RAFVR, Confirmation and Promotion, from Pilot Officer, to be Flying Officer, effective 24 October 1945, Service Number 197832.

14 May 1947 – Commission resigned
... London Gazette, Tuesday 27 May 1947, Issue 37965, page 2396; RAFVR, On account of medical un-fitness for Air Force service, retaining the rank of Flying Officer, effective 14 May 1947, Service Number 197832.

In the 462 Squadron ORB, GODSALL was also listed in error as T T instead of T GODSALL; also as GODSHILL, and GOODSALL, and with incorrect Service Numbers 1579955, 1579153, and 1579158.
In "Brave and True" at 466 Squadron he was also recorded as GOODSALL.

 

BARKLA, Max – Wireless Operator and Signals Leader (no naming errors or Service Number errors in ORB)
Although his RAAF Service File was not available, numerous news reports were available from Trove (NLA) - note that was a time delay between the writing and the publication of his reports.

31 January 1941 – News Report ( Article identifier http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96692887 )
Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 – 1954), Friday 31 January 1941, page 1 – SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Mr. Max. Barkla, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Barkla, of Gawler, enters the R.A.A.F. training camp at Mt. Breckan on February 3rd. Max in civil life was associated with "The Port Pirie Recorder," as reporter-journalist, and his endeavours for accuracy, together with his general approach made him popular in all works of life. Before departing from the firm with which he had been connected for over eight years, personal recognition was made of his services by the proprietor, reporting and mechanical staffs, and the young man was presented with a camp clock of miniature army tank design.

03 February 1941 – Enlisted in RAAF, Adelaide, South Australia

February to September 1941 – the following training locations were probable for BARKLA – places as mentioned in the previous and following News Report, and deduced from the Service Files of other 462 Squadron Wireless Operators / Air Gunners ......
Mt. Breckan, Victor Harbor, South Australia – 4 Initial Training School (1 ITS)
Ballarat, Victoria – 1 Wireless and Gunnery School (1 WAGS)
Port Pirie, SA – 2 Bombing and Gunnery School (2 BAGS).

19 September 1941 – News Report ( Article identifier http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96696770 )
Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 – 1954), Friday 19 September 1941, page 4 – SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

To-morrow (Friday) (sic) evening at the War Aid Platform, Mr. Max Barkla, only son of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Barkla, of Gawler, will receive the Town's Tribute prior to taking up duties elsewhere. Max is in the R.A.A.F., in flight work, and received training at Victor, Ballarat and Port Pirie.

October 1941 – Embarked from Australia, further training in England (as mentioned in later News Report)

1942 – 1943 – Ops in Middle East and Malta (as mentioned in later News Report)

1943 – 1944 – Returned to England for Instructional Duties (as mentioned in later News Report)

Not saved from Trove, were several News Reports in the Bunyip newspapers, from BARKLA, on the sea voyage from October 1941, including a stop at Honolulu; and travel through Canada; to England in early 1942.
By September 1942, his was writing from Egypt, Cairo; taking Leave in Palestine; seeing in the New Year of 1943 in Malta.
By spring 1943 he was back in England; Christmas 1943 at an OTU near Derby doing an Instructor's Course (so perhaps 27 Operational Training Unit, Lichfield, at satellite airfield Church Broughton near Derby ?).
In early 1944 he was "somewhere in Yorkshire for further training in preparation to going back on Ops" and "training in the latest type of 4-engine aircraft fitted with marvellous equipment" and "about a mile from the village" (so perhaps at 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit, Marston Moor ?).

March/April 1944 – Resumed flying duties, Crew 112, Pilot D E S SHANNON, 466 Squadron, Leconfield, Op 1 on 18/19 April (Shannon's posting to 466 Squadron has been identified as 31 March 1944) Ops recorded in later section.

09 June 1944 – News Report ( Article Identifier http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96866416 )
Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 – 1954), Friday 9 June 1944, page 1 – MAX BARKLA WRITES OF A NEW CAMP.

You will be wondering what the the new camp is like. Well, to start with, Dave Shannon my Victorian skipper is from the old station, so I already knew him fairly well when I teamed up with him. He has been posted as Flight Commander of a squadron. We left the old camp fairly noon after breakfast and were travelling most of the day having to make several changes and passing through a couple of large cities, although not staying there long enough to explore beyond the railway stations. Altogether, we had a fortunate trip, having no trouble at all with our luggage — which is always the main problem. Had lunch in the railway dining-room at Sheffield.
A nursing sister with whom we shared a compartment for one stage of the journey pressed a couple of apples on us, and I was able to give her some Australian chocolate in return. When we reached our destination we felt as though we were on the edge of the world — at a sleepy little station set in flat, windswept country. Eventually transport arrived to convey us and a New Zealand bomb-aimer to the camp, where we quickly settled down. I think cold winds start from this place, although for the past few days the weather has been comparatively mild.
For the first week or so it was mighty cold, with some snow (I saw my first decent fall of it since two winters ago). The weather proved to be very uncertain. One afternoon the sun was shining from an almost cloudless sky at 4.30; at 5.30 snow was falling. There are, of course, restrictions regarding the publication of weather information but the papers have now published details of heavy falls of snow in the North. There were 12-feet drifts, roads being blocked and bus and passengers marooned. Farms and villages were cut off and hundreds of sheep buried. Round us we did not strike it anywhere nearly as severe as that. There were hard frosts in the mornings, making the roads very treacherous for walking and cycling.
The mess here is very comfortable with a rather well stocked library of which I am making good use, and the food is particularly good. One day we had poultry — which is always a treat. Our quarters are not quite so comfortable as the old ones but fair enough. The worst aspect of the place from a footslogger's view is that it is very widely dispersed. At flat-out pace it takes me 12½ minutes to walk from the billet to the mess, and the W.T. section. There are a gymnasium, badminton and squash courts, and a sports field on the station, pictures most nights of the week, dances, and a E.N.S.A. show once a week. The train service to London is pretty good, and buses run to the nearest towns. The camp is not as conveniently situated as the old one for hitch-hiking, however. Among the screened pilots here is F/O Riggs of Burra — a cousin of Jay Riggs. I'll leave it to my next letter to describe the towns we visited.
S.A. House has come to light with another parcel from the S.A. Fighting Forces Comforts Fund. They have practically kept me in toothpaste, razor blades and shaving soap since I first arrived here. Previously I received one soap coupon a fortnight — but here we can buy it in the mess without coupons.
We have now gathered our crew together. Dave and I are the only Aussies. The bomb-aimer is a New Zealander; the flight-engineer an Irishman; and the navigator and two gunners Englishmen; so there's ample scope for international argument. They all seem to be fine chaps. Quite a few of my ex-pupils are here. Being a mere pupil myself now, I humbly asked one of them who'd been here sometime to show me how to tune some new equipment. How are the mighty fallen! To release personnel for other duties, the "'serve yourself" system now operates in most R.A.F. messes, and that is so here. At the old station we were waited upon in the officers' mess. However, the new system works very well here, and the hot plates are really hot.
("Old station" not yet identified; new camp 466 Squadron at Leconfield, East Yorkshire)

12 June 1944 – News Report ( Article Identifier http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96266032 )
Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 – 1954), Monday 12 June 1944, page 3 – WITH AIR FORGE IN ENGLAND

"Recorder" Man Writes Home
In a letter to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Barkla, of Gawler, Pilot-Officer Max Barkla, former member of "The Recorder" literary staff, tells something of an airman's life in England in pre-invasion days. His letter, written in April, left him fit and well, with a little leave being worked into arduous duties. He speaks of going to a new station as follows: ...... (3 paragraphs similar to "Bunyip" report published on 09 June 1944) ....
On the way down by train a nursing sister ............... and hundreds of sheep buried. (as previous report)
South Australia House has come to light with another parcel ....... since I first arrived here.(as previous report)
"International" Crew
We have now gathered our new crew together. Dave Shannon ............ are all fine chaps.(as previous report)
We had tea at York on the way down. Mushrooms on toast cost me 2/6 (or just over 3/ in Australian, currency), but they were liberal with the mushrooms. I got a bed in Derby, and 'Nan,' the landlady, greeted me like a long-lost child. She included a never-again-to-be-despised egg in the breakfast menu.
While we were having a cup of tea in the railway refreshment rooms at York an Aussie N.C.O. came up to me. I recognised him at once as 'Scotty' Sampson, whom I used to know in Pirie.
It seems that some people have the impression that all we do over here is have a good time. Well, I guess that such ideas are not worth worrying about. You see, we cannot write about everything.

August 1944 – Posted TO 462 Squadron, Driffield (SHANNON's posting identified as 14 or 18 August 1944). Ops recorded in later section.

29 December 1944 – Relocated with 462 Squadron to Foulsham, Norfolk

January 1945 – 462 Squadron ORB, Form 540, Part IV, Honours and Awards – "During the month, the undermentioned Officer was awarded the non-immediate award of the DFC – F/Lt F M BARKLA, (A.407924)."

16 January 1945 – Distinguished Flying Cross
... London Gazette, Tuesday 16 January 1945, Issue 36894, page 415; RAAF, Award of Distinguished Flying Cross, Acting Flight Lieutenants. Frank Maxwell BARKLA (Aus. 407924), 462 (R.A.A.F.) Sqn.

26 January 1945 – News Report ( Article Identifier http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96862207 )
Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 – 1954), Friday 26 January 1945, page 1 – Social and Personal

Another Gawler Airman, Flt/Lt Max Barkla, has been awarded the distinguished recognition for bravery and fortitude — the Distinguished Flying Cross. Max, who is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Barkla, of Lyndoch Road, left Australia in October 1941 as a wireless air gunner. He went to England to complete his training, and did six months operations in the Middle East. He had experience of Malta under raids. He was returned to England and performed instructional duty and then resumed flying just before the Allied invasion of France in which he participated. Max before enlistment was on the reporting staff of the "'Pirie Recorder", but gained his training on "The News". Readers of the "Bunyip" have been greatly interested in the happy writings of Max, who tells the story of England away from the fears and horrors of war; and all will rejoice that the young man has been honoured for his services of which in the past he has released but scanty information. Bravery and fortitude is necessarily allied with the D.F.C.

16 March 1945 – Investiture by His Majesty King George VI, at Buckingham Palace; (photos after presentation of DFC, outside Buckingham Palace shown in previous section; AWM Card in a following section)

06 July 1945 – News Report
Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 – 1954), Friday 06 July 1945, page 1 – NEWS FROM GAWLER HIGH SCHOOL

Old Scholar Visitors
Staff and students were honoured by the visit at last Friday's assembly of Flt-Lieuts. Max Barkla D.F.C., and Bruce Davis. They were delighted when these old scholars told briefly of their experiences. A vote of thanks was moved and seconded by the Head Prefects .......

20 July 1945 – News Report ( Article Identifier http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96862837 )
Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 – 1954), Friday 20 July 1945, page 1 – SOLDIERS' FATHERS' ASSOCIATION

There was a good attendance of Dads at the usual monthly meeting of the Gawler Soldiers' Fathers' Association in the Town Hall chamber on Monday evening, presided over by President Dad Len Brown. Dad Adcock (secretary) presented voluminous correspondence from headquarters on matters which were under consideration and which should be adopted in the interests of returning men. The secretary was complimented in providing speakers for each evening, giving added interest to the otherwise "dry-as-dust" formal business.
The highlight of the night was a chat from Flt-Lieut. Max Barkla, D.F.C., son of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Barkla of Lyndoch Road, just back from operations overseas. Max it will be recalled gave many bright and entertaining letters to readers of The Bunyip. Mr. Barkla made no formal preparation, he said he would speak just as the thoughts and memories arose; and he held his audience with the greatest ease while he spoke for 1¼ hours. Mentioning countries and towns, he revived dormant memories of men who had been over there in the 1914-18 scrap, and at times the talk resolved itself into a dialogue, to the great amusement of the hearers.
Max told a lot of his travels, incidents encountered, and amusing things noted. The stark side of war was forgotten — the youth of to-day is just as great a clam as the "boys" of the other war; and it is just as well, for horrors need not be exploited. Many questions were put up, and opened new avenues for recital, and really the young man could have had a hugely attentive and interested audience if he had spoken till midnight. Direct incidents concerning himself had to be "dragged" from him, as, for instance, his attendance at Buckingham Palace to receive his distinction from His Majesty the King; and his experiences in mass flying over enemy territory. Max said his first great mass flying experience had a wonderful effect on him; 800 planes went over, and looking out he saw machines everywhere, and wondered how they could ever get through. Later, he had experience with 1000 planes in the air. He settled the point about noise, he said a flier did not hear the other planes above the roar of his own engines.
"Blighty" or London appearance came in from an inquirer, but Max said London was such a vast city that it swallowed up its damage. Search had to be made for the destruction. Some parts of the city would stand out badly shattered; and a few miles away one could search for days without finding a building damaged by blast or fire. V2s were treated philosophically. They made immense damage but you did not hear them on the way. You were there before they arrived, and you were lucky to be there after they had left. That was just about all there was about it.

03 August 1945 – GILPIN – BARKLA. The engagement is announced of Enid Ross, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. W. T. GILPIN of McLaren Vale, to Max (R.A.A.F., ret.) son of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. BARKLA, of Gawler.
(The Advertiser (Adelaide) Friday 03 August 1945, page 14; similar notice in Recorder, Port Pirie, same date, page 2, ..... "to Max (Flight-Lieut., R.A.A.F.) ....)

16 August 1945 – Discharged from RAAF at rank of Flight Lieutenant

07 September 1945 – News Report ( Article Identifier http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130233769 )
News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 – 1954), Friday 7 September 1945, page 7 – Tomorrow's Brides

REMADE GOWN
Miss Enid Gilpin will wear a wedding gown remodelled from the gown worn by the bridegroom's mother, when she marries Flight Lieutenant Max Barkla, D.F.C., in Scots Church, North Terrace, tomorrow afternoon. The gown has a bodice of embroidered silk and Swiss lace, and a satin skirt. Over the gown she will wear a full length embroidered veil. Bridesmaid Miss Peg Bussel will be in an ice-blue gown. Mr. Harold Hancock, who was a member of the bridegroom's squadron in England, will be best man. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Gilpin, McLaren Vale. Flight Lieutenant Barkla is the son of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Barkla, Gawler.
(Harold Bain HANCOCK 416958 RAAF, Pilot, Crew 31, 462 Squadron; September 1944 – April 1945; 37 Ops)

08 September 1945 – GILPIN – BARKLA. The marriage of Enid Ross, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. W. T. GILPIN of McLaren Vale, to Frank Maxwell, only son of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. BARKLA, of Gawler, will be solemnised at Scots Church, Adelaide, on Saturday, September 8, at 4 p.m. No reception.
(The Advertiser (Adelaide) Saturday 01 September 1945, page 16)

24 December 1950 – BARKLA (nee GILPIN) – at Port Pirie Maternity Hospital, to Enid and Max – a son (Ross Edwin).
(Recorder (Port Pirie, SA), Wednesday 27 December 1950, page 4 – Births)

24 September 1952 – News report ( Article Identifier http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96242396 )
Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 – 1954), Wednesday 24 September 1952, page 1 – STAFF MEMBER LEAVING

"The Recorder" Farewells Mr. Max Barkla
On Monday afternoon "The Recorder" staff assembled to say farewell to Mr. Max Barkla who, after nearly 20 years' service in the literary department, has accepted a position with Australian Broadcasting Commission. He will leave for Adelaide on Saturday to take up preliminary duties.
Mr. Barkla came to "The Recorder" from "The News," Adelaide, in 1933, and has followed "The Inky Way" since he left Gawler High School in 1939 (sic, 1929 ?). Early in the war he and Mr. Russell Handley, a fellow staff member, enlisted in Royal Australian Air Force, and at the end of four years' service he returned to this paper, possessor of the Distinguished Flying Cross, gained following air operations over Europe.
At the farewell function all speakers voiced regret at the severance of long association, and the hope was expressed that Mr. Barkla would advance in his newly-chosen sphere. On behalf of the whole staff Mr. C. P. Murn (editor) asked the departing colleague to accept a fountain pen-pencil set.
Responding, Mr. Barkla said that he had always enjoyed the companionship and co-operation of his colleagues, and was leaving press work solely with the desire to go farther into the world to see what it held for him. Some nice things had been said of him by the speakers, but the only thing he reserved for himself to say was that he had been a trier. He would carry that endeavor with him into his new post.

Gawler Anglican Cemetery –
BARKLA, Enid Ross, 22 August 1915 – 25 November 2000
BARKLA, F. M. 26 May 1998, aged 84 years (birth 22 April 1914)

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Crew 112, 466 Squadron, Leconfield, April – June 1944; Driffield, June – August 1944 (crew details from "Brave and True" page 133).
According to the Australian War Memorial Timeline for Shannon, he was posted to 466 Squadron on 31 March 1944 (assumed to be with his crew). 466 Squadron relocated from Leconfield to Driffield on 03 June 1944 (B&T, History, page viii), so the crew's first seven Ops were flown from Leconfield, and Ops 8 to 18 were flown from Driffield, in Halifax aircraft.

Crew 112, 466 Squadron, Ops in table below – from "Brave & True", pages 95, target names as recorded there.
Dates – e.g. 9/10, they departed in the evening of the 9th, and returned in the early hours of the 10th (and so on for other dates).
Total Ops for SHANNON and Crew 112 at 466 Squadron – 18, possibly 15 for BARKLA due to at least 3 substitutions.

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Crew Ops at 462 Squadron – sourced from the 462 Squadron ORB

This Crew carried out 5 Ops together between August and December 1944 at Driffield, as detailed in the following Ops Table. They relocated with 462 Squadron to Foulsham at the end of December 1944.
SHANNON's duties as Commanding Officer, CROSS's duties as Deputy Bombing Leader, and BARKLA's duties as Signals Leader would have reduced their availability for Operational flying. Eagleton (of 466 Squadron, in previous photos) said that as Flight Commander and Acting Commanding Officer, Ops were reduced to only 3 per month, due to the additional responsibilities of the higher positions.

W/Cdr SHANNON's last Op with Crew was on 16 November 1944. He was repatriated to Australia in January 1945.
Total 5 Ops at 462 Squadron. (Plus previous 18 Ops from 466 Sqdn.)

Nav NICHOLS carried out his first 4 Ops with Shannon and crew; then another 14 Ops as Navigator with Crew 23, Pilot Cookson. The last Op on record for NICHOLS was on 06 January 1945. He also flew with COOKSON and crew in the relocation from Driffield to Foulsham.
NICHOLS was posted FROM 462 Squadron in January 1945.
Total 18 Ops at 462 Squadron. (Possibly Tour expired with addition of previous 18 Ops from 466 Sqdn.)

B/Aimer CROSS carried out 5 Ops with Shannon, his last Op recorded on 16 Nov 1944. He relocated to Foulsham, but travelled separate from the Crew. There was no further record of him in the ORB, and he was not listed in any Postings FROM 462 Squadron. He may also have been posted FROM the Squadron in January 1945.
Total 5 Ops at 462 Squadron. (Plus previous 18 Ops from 466 Sqdn.)

W/OP BARKLA's first Op at 462 Squadron was with Crew 15, Pilot Finley, on 01 September 1944, during Shannon's absence. BARKLA then carried out 5 Ops with Shannon.
January 1945 – 1 Op with Cookson and Crew 23, and 1 Op with Jackson and Crew 14.
February 1945 – 3 Ops with Jackson. For the four Ops with Jackson, Barkla's role was Special Duties WINDOW dispenser, instead of his usual role of Wireless Operator.
BARKLA was posted FROM 462 Squadron in March 1945.
Total 11 Ops at 462 Squadron. (Plus previous 15 Ops from 466 Sqdn.)

R/AG WHITEHEAD – first 4 Ops with Shannon as detailed in Ops Table;
November 1944 – 2 ops with Finley, and 1 Op with Shannon;
January 1945 – 1 Op each with Smith Crew 51, Marchant Crew and Astill crew, each in role of Special Duties WINDOW Dispenser; also 3 Ops with Marchant as R/AG;
February 1945 – 6 Ops with Marchant;
March 1945 – 4 Ops with Marchant;
3 Ops – Special Duties WINDOW; remaining 20 Ops as Rear Gunner; several Ops in 1945 were with MU/AG GODSALL.
WHITEHEAD was posted FROM 462 Squadron in May 1945.
Total 23 Ops at 462 Squadron. (Plus previous 18 Ops from 466 Sqdn.)

MU/AG GODSALL – first 5 Ops with Shannon as detailed in Ops Table;
Nov 1944 – 2 with Cookson;
Dec 1945 – 1 with Carthy;
Jan 1945 – 1 each with Cookson, Byrom, Sharer, McGindle; and 2 with Bailey;
Feb 1945 – 2 with Marchant;
March 1945 – 5 with Marchant and 1 with Cookson;
April 1945 – 1 with Drinkwater.
11 Ops as Special Duties WINDOW Dispenser (1945), and 12 Ops as Gunner, several with R/AG WHITEHEAD.
GODSALL posted FROM 462 Squadron in May 1945.
Total 23 Ops at 462 Squadron. (Plus previous 18 Ops from 466 Sqdn.)
Recorded as GOODSALL in "Brave and True", but as GODSALL in 462 Squadron ORB.

F/Eng MURRAY's first Op at 462 Squadron was with Finley's Crew 15, on 27 August 1944, during Shannon's absence.
September 1944 – 3 Ops with Shannon and 2 Ops with Carthy's Crew 17;
October 1944 – 1 Op with Hourigan's Crew 33, and 1 Op with Shannon;
November 1944 – 1 Op with Hourigan's Crew 33, and 1 Op with Shannon;
December 1944 – 1 Op with Taylor's Crew 12;
January 1945 – 1 Op each with Langworthy, Simms, Sharp, and Jackson crews;
February 1945 – 1 Op each with Scharer and Whatling crews;
April 1945 – 6 Ops with Paltridge and Crew 58.
For the Ops with Langworthy, Simms and Whatling, Murray's role was Special Duties WINDOW dispenser (3 Ops). For all other Ops he carried out his usual role of Flight Engineer.
MURRAY was posted FROM 462 Squadron in August 1945.
Total 23 Ops at 462 Squadron. (Plus previous 18 Ops from 466 Squadron with Shannon. Murray also flew with 2 other crews at 466 Squadron, however any additional number of Ops is not known by this author. Those 2 crews also transferred to 462 Squadron – Thomas Crew 06 and Wilson Crew 22.)

The following table lists the five Ops for SHANNON and his complete crew at 462 Squadron – no early returns, no other incidents, one substitution of Wireless Operator for Op 5. Details taken from the ORB Forms 541 for the relevant months.
Times Up and Down in Red were night Ops; daytime Ops in black.
Target "Le Havre (1 of x 16)" means 16 aircraft tasked from 462 Squadron to the target of Le Havre, with SHANNON's crew being one of those 16 (and so on for the other dates).

LL604 Z5-D failed to return from Op on evening of 09 October 1944, with 4 PoWs and 3 Evaders of Crew 25, Pilot BLACK.
MZ400 Z5-J failed to return from Op on evening of 09 October 1944, with loss of all of Crew 29, Pilot COLEMAN.
MZ341 Z5-P – photo and artwork on Halifax page.
MZ461 Z5-O failed to return from Op on evening of 24 February 1945, with loss of all of Crew 18, Pilot ELY.

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Gallantry Awards

Below: AWM Card for Sergeant David Eliot Strachan SHANNON, Mentioned in Despatches, 400493 RAAF;
Award promulgated in the London Gazette on Thursday 11 June 1942, Issue 35586, page 2526.
(No information yet located of actions which resulted in M.I.D.)

Australian War Memorial, ref RCDIG1068967

 

Below: AWM Card for Wing Commander David Eliot Strachan SHANNON, Distinguished Flying Cross, 400493 RAAF, 462 Squadron;
Award promulgated in the London Gazette on Tuesday 14 November 1944, Issue 36793, page 5208;
Insignia presented by His Majesty, The King, at a Private Investiture on 24 January 1945 (photos in previous section).
Citation – "Skill and fortitude in operations against the enemy".

Australian War Memorial, ref RCDIG1068967

 

Below: AWM Card for Flight Lieutenant Frank Maxwell BARKLA, Distinguished Flying Cross, 407924, RAAF, 462 Squadron;
Award promulgated in the London Gazette on Tuesday 16 January 1945, Issue 36894, page 415;
Insignia presented by His Majesty, The King, at an Investiture on 16 March 1945 (photos in previous section).
Citation – "Skill and fortitude in operations against the enemy".

Australian War Memorial, ref RCDIG1068966

Warrant Officer Basil Gordon NICHOLS, Croix de Guerre (France), 1339111 / 190760 RAFVR
(No information yet located of promulgation in the London Gazette, or of actions which resulted in the Award of CdeG.)

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