Reginald William FOLKES (1918-1993)

Name:	FOLKES, Reginald William, DFC
Nationality:	Canadian
Regiment/Service:	Royal Canadian Air Force
Rank:	Pilot Officer
Service No.:	J/18382
Unit Text:	No.77 Squadron
Date of Birth:	24 July 1918 - Toronto, York, ON
Date of Death:	12 September 1993 - Sunnybrook Hospital - Toronto, York, ON

FOLKES, P/O Reginald William - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.77 Squadron - Award effective 19 June 1944 as per London Gazette dated 27 June 1944 and AFRO 1861/44 dated 25 August 1944. Born Toronto, 24 July 1918, home Toronto; educated University of Toronto. Enlisted Toronto 20 May 1941 and posted to No.1 Manning Depot. To No.1 Training Command, 13 June 1941. To No.5 ITS, 8 August 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 27 September 1941 when posted to No.8 AOS; graduated 3 January 1942 when posted to No.9 BGS; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 28 February 1942 when posted to No.2 ANS, 28 February 1942. To “Y” Depot, Halifax, 31 March 1942; to RAF overseas, 20 April 1942. Promoted Flight Sergeant 28 August 1942. Promoted WO2, 28 February 1943. Commissioned 12 July 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 12 January 194?. Repatriated 21 January 1945. Released 19 March 1945. Died in Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, 12 September 1993.

Pilot Officer Folkes has completed a tour of operations during which he has participated in attacks against many of the enemy's most heavily defended targets in Germany. He is a most valuable member of a gallant crew whose ability as bomb aimer has been amply demonstrated by photographic results. In November 1943 his aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters and so badly damaged that control was temporarily lost. Nevertheless, the target was attacked from a much lower altitude and good photographs obtained. This officer has played no small part in the many successes attained by his crew.

Public Records Office Air 2/8780 has recommendation dated 20 March 1944 when he had flown 23 sorties (157 hours 25 minutes); draft text adds a few details:

*with unidentified units prior to No.77 Squadron

7 November 1942	Genoa (8.25)*	6 Sept 43	Munich (9.10)
18 November 1942	Turin (7.50)*	22 Sept 43	Hanover (6.40)
15 January 1943	Lorient (5.45)*	28 Jan 45	Cologne (5.00)
5 March 1943	Essen (3.20)*	29 Sept 43	Bochum (5.00)
8 March 1943	Nuremburg (8.45)*	4 October 1943	Frankfurt (7.45)
9 March 1943	Munich (8.20)*	3 November 1943	Dusseldorf (5.40)
11 March 1943	Stuttgart (7.35)*	19 November 1943	Leverkusen (5.45)
12 March 1943	Essen (4.45)*	20 December 1943	Frankfurt (6.25)
3 July 1943	Cologne (6.00)*	21 January 1944	Magdeburg (7.05)
9 July 1943	Gelsenkirchen (6.35)*	19 February 1944	Leipzig (8.10)
15 July 1943	Montebeliard (8.05)*	22 February 1944	GARDENING (3.10, recalled)
17 August 1943	Peenemunde (8.10)

This officer Air Bomber has completed his first tour of operations comprising 23 sorties, many of them against the most heavily defended German targets. A member of a most exceptional crew of this squadron, this officer has contributed greatly to the standard of a notable crew, and his ability as a bomb aimer is amply substantiated by the photographic results. Even on the night of 3rd November 1943, after the aircraft was temporarily out of control and damaged due to fighter attack, the target was still attacked although at a much lower altitude, and a good photographic record obtained.

In recognition of an operational tour which has been marked throughout with a high standard of efficiency and devotion to duty, it is strongly recommended that this officer be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.