William W Alderdice DFC RCAF and crew – 103 Squadron / 550 Squadron – 1944/45 – J.87008
Alderdice was born in 1917 at Harley Ontario Canada.
He and his crew were posted to 103 Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds on the 17 August 1944 from 11 Base.
The crew consisted of :-
P/O WW Alderdice RCAF
Sgt A Jones
F/O L R Franklin RCAF
F/O F A Tyres
F/S R P Fulbrook
Sgt S Hutchins
Sgt A H Munro
The crew flew unaltered throughout their time with 103 Squadron.
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Alderdice flew his first operation as a Second Dickie / co-pilot with F/O D A Ryerse RCAF and crew to Russelheim on the 25/26 August 1944.
He then captained his own crew on the following operations.
05-Sep-44 - Le Havre - Army support - Lancaster - LM177 - P/O WW Alderdice RCAF
08-Sep-44 - Le Havre - Army support - Lancaster - LM177 - P/O WW Alderdice RCAF - Aborted by Master Bomber due to cloud cover over target.
28-Sep-44 - Calais - Army support - Lancaster - ME698 - P/O WW Alderdice RCAF - Raid cancelled by Master Bomber due to cloud cover over target. Instructed to jettison bombs in sea prior to landing.
05-Oct-44 - Saarbrucken - Army support - Lancaster - LM682 - F/O WW Alderdice RCAF
07-Oct-44 - Emmerich - Army support - Lancaster - ME698 - F/O WW Alderdice RCAF
19-Oct-44 - Stuttgart - Point of Aim - Lancaster - LM177 - F/O WW Alderdice RCAF
23-Oct-44 - Essen - Point of Aim - Lancaster - PB637 - F/O WW Alderdice RCAF
25-Oct-44 - Essen - Point of Aim - Lancaster - LM295 - F/O WW Alderdice RCAF
28-Oct-44 - Cologne - Point of Aim - Lancaster - LM131 - F/O WW Alderdice RCAF - Landed with 1 flat tyre. Swung off runway. Sustained no damage
30-Oct-44 - Cologne - Point of Aim - Lancaster - JA857 - F/O WW Alderdice RCAF
31-Oct-44 - Cologne - Point of Aim - Lancaster - PD236 - F/O WW Alderdice RCAF
02-Nov-44 - Dusseldorf - Point of Aim - Lancaster - ME698 - F/O WW Alderdice RCAF
04-Nov-44 - Bochum - Point of Aim - Lancaster - PD236 - F/O WW Alderdice RCAF – Early return – Reason not known.
06-Nov-44 - Gelsenkirchen - Oil - Lancaster - NF999 - F/O WW Alderdice RCAF
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On the 8 November 1944 the crew were transferred to 550 Squadron at nearby North Killingholme airfield where they finished their tour.
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Alderdice was awarded a DFC post war which was gazetted on the 18 September 1945
Citation below :-
"This Canadian officer has now completed his first tour of operations consisting of 32 sorties involving 199.50 hours operational flying as a pilot and captain of a Lancaster bomber. Most of his attacks have been made against the Reich, some of them involving deep penetrations into enemy territory and his targets have ranged from the heavily defended Ruhr area to the more distant towns of Hanover, Merseburg and Munich.
During the whole of his tour he has set a magnificent example by his keenness and determination to make every sortie a complete success. His courage in the face of enemy opposition and on occasions adverse weather conditions has been an inspiration to his crew and he has proved that he possesses the qualities of an excellent leader.
His cheerfulness, which has at all times been an inspiration to all who knew him, has made him a very popular member of the squadron.
Such courage and devotion to duty well merit the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."
Compiled by David Fell
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