Alex George GARDNER-MEDWIN (1918-

 

Name:

GARDNER-MEDWIN, Alec George, DFC, MiD

Nationality:

Canadian

Regiment/Service:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Service No.:

J/11245

Born:

1910 - Liverpool, England

GARDNER-MEDWIN, F/L Alec George (J11245) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.424 Squadron - Award effective 1 September 1944 as per London Gazette dated 15 September 1944 and AFRO 2373/44 dated 3 November 1944. Born in Liverpool, England, 1910; home in Coulson, Surrey. Enlisted in Toronto, 04 June 1941. Trained at No.1 ITS (graduated 25 September 1941), No.1 AOS (graduated 1 February 1942), No.1 BGS (graduated 14 March 1942) and No.2 ANS (graduated 13 April 1942). Commissioned in 1942. To Patricia Bay, 23 July 1945. Retired 30 September 1945.

Throughout his tour of operational duty this officer has set an outstanding example to every member of his squadron. As squadron bombing leader his efficiency has been exceptional and his high courage and keenness have been largely responsible for the good work accomplished by the bomb airmen of the squadron.

NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/9276 has recommendation dated 3 June 1944 when he had flown 27 sorties (173 hours); sortie list and original text as follows:

15 Jan 43 Lorient 7.55) 20 July 43 Naples (5.46)
26 Jan 43 Lorient (7.37) 23 July 43 San Giovanni (5.15)
29 Jan 43 Lorient (8.10) 5 Aug 43 Messina (6.20)
3 Feb 43 Hamburg (3.40) 11 Aug 43 Messina (5.30)
7 Feb 43 Daylight recce (5.35) 17 Aug 43 Cape Suvero (5.47)
11 Feb 43 GARDENING (4.34) 20 Aug 43 Villa Lierno (5.45)
4 Apr 44 Kiel (6.30) 24 Aug 43 Torre Annunziata (5.40)
15 Apr 43 GARDENING, Brest (6.56) 27 Aug 43 Salerno (5.45)
2-22 June 43 Dalton-Pavillier (transit from UK, 16.35) 1 Sept 43 Aversa (5.55)
3 July 43 Trepani (3.48) 2 Sept 43 Cagliari (5.45)
9 July 43 Cataglironi (4.14) 4 Sept 43 Grazzanise (6.20)
11 July 43 Monte Corvina (5.45) 8 Sept 43 Battipaglia (7.00)
14 July 43 Naples (6.02) 10 Sept 43 Formio (7.05)
12 Sept 43 Castelnuova (7.05)

 

Can J.11245 Flight Lieutenant A.G. Gardner-Medwin, RCAF Bomb Aimer, has completed 27 sorties, many of which were carried out over the most heavily defended targets in Germany and Italy.

Flight Lieutenant Medwin as Bombing Leader of this squadron set an outstanding example to every member of his section. Many of his sorties were carried out with inexperienced crews, filling in at the last minute the position of an unfit Bomb Aimer. Flight Lieutenant Medwin ran his Section with the greatest efficiency and his high courage and keenness were mainly responsible for the good work done by the Bomb Aimers of this squadron. I consider Flight Lieutenant Medwin fully deserves the award (non-immediate) of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

GARDNER-MEDWIN, F/L Alec George, DFC (J11245) - Mention in Despatches - No.22 OTU - Award effective 1 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 379/45 dated 2 March 1945.

SOURCE: Air Force Association of Canada website.


P/O Amies and crew of 424 Squadron
From left to right: Flt.-Lt Alec George Gardner-Medwin, Air Bomber/
P/O Arthur Kingswell Leitch, Navigator/
P/O Amies, Pilot/
Sgt. Arnold, Rear Gunner/
Sgt. McNeil, Wireless Operator

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