Service No. 182794 [RAF]

Rank: Fitter IIE

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Message received from Ron J. De Val, via email as follows:

 

Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 7:49 AM

Subject: You wonderful daughters of 454-459 members.

 

 

"It is jolly good of you "girls" to carry the memories of the two

squadrons. Many thanks.

 

Have just received your bulletin and have checked the member list. R. J.  De Val is listed under 454. I also flew with 459. I was crewed with S.L. Charles Payne as Observer, Amos Tonkin and Richard Lichfield were the other crew members.  We were at Benghazi under W.C. Coates and we then went to Falconara, Italy.  Dick Lichfield was killed when he flew with another crew that was shot down. Charles Payne became CO of 459 late in 1944 and I went with him as his observer. He was still CO when

the squadron was disbanded at Chivenor, Devon in 1945 I had previously written to George Gray about Payne and George said they had lost track of him. His RAAF number was A164

 

I'm listed as "Canada" but I was born in UK and joined the RAF. Moved to Toronto in 1948.

 

I'm always there in spirit on Anzac Day and am proud to have been a member of both squadrons.

 

With every good wish to you all.

 

Ron J. De Val"