Desmond Michael De Silva

R/95750 - Desmond Michael De Silva - W/O - 218 Squadron - KIA 24/08/1943

[Sources: CWGC and RCAF Casualty List 0918 and Chorley’s; courtesy Alieneyes]

W/O De Silva DFM shows up with parents in Flushing, NY. RCAF Casualty List 0918, however, shows W/O Desmond Michael De Silva DFM as being from Georgetown, British Guiana.

CWGC says 218 Squadron but Chorleys has him lost as a rear gunner on a Stirling from No. 623 Squadron. Both list him as an American from Flushing Meadows, NY City.

RCAF Casualty List 0918 and Chorley’s

V.B. Hazell

1377112 - P/O V.B. Hazell - Jamaica - attested 29.8.40 - Flight/Mech. (’Jet Eng’?) - commissioned 9.6.44 - DFM

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876 - Nominal Roll of Coloured Candidates, October 1944]

Lincoln Lynch

Sgt LO Lynch from Jamaica, winner of the Air Gunner’s Trophy for 1944 standing by the rear gun turret of a Lancaster bomber, his right hand resting on the barrel of one of the four machine guns. The Lancaster had three gun turrets, used to defend the aircraft against enemy fighters during long-range bombing raids. [Source: www.movinghere.org.uk - Imperial War Museum (IWM) Reference: CH12263]

605520 (605500?) - L.O. Lynch - Jamaica - Sgt. Air Gunner UK 4.5.43
148235 - P/O - DFM 5.9.44 - commissioned 17.6.44

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876]
Sergeant - DFM - based in Yorkshire
[Source: CMHA]
Lincoln Lynch was stationed at Pocklington and billeted with a family in a village outside York. They all featured on a BBC TV programme two or 3 years ago (around 2005) called “We’ll Meet Again”. The three daughters of this family (who had been children at the time) wanted to be reunited with Lincoln. He was brought over here and they all met up on the programme which featured Vera Lynn.

[Source: AE; photograph courtesy Mrs. A. Dewjee]

Oscar Owen Sylvester

Sergeant/Warrant Officer - Pilot - 15 sqn - Lancaster - DFM

ATS; 33 Missions, awarded DFM. Post war RAF Wyton, Lincoln B2

[Source: CG, CMHA]