The story of my Dutch Contact was included in Issue 28 of the Newsletter.
The main inscription seems to be written by Winnie’s mother, Dorothy nee Fielding (me). The order of the names is the reverse of actual photo as the only male, George, is the second from left. The description of George is uncertain. It may be lodger. The other three are described as daughters, Edith, Winnie and (Margery) Joan. The additional writing in a second hand includes Charles, probably indicating he took the photo.
Charles won his Distinguished Flying Medal in November 1940.
London Gazette November 29th 1940:One night in November, 1940, Squadron Leader McDougall (awarded the DFC) was the pilot and Sergeant Gray the air gunner of an aircraft detailed to carry out harassing attacks on enemy aerodromes. At 0300 hours Amiens-Glisy aerodrome was identified and found to be illuminated for night-flying. A large four-engined enemy aircraft was seen in the air and Squadron Leader McDbugall decided to attack it before bombing the aerodrome. He rapidly overhauled the enemy and from close range Sergeant Gray opened fire. His first burst entered one of the port engines which immediately emitted smoke. He then fired two long bursts into the fuselage. The aircraft was seen to fall, out of control, and eventually it hit the ground and exploded. Squadron Leader McDougall then returned to Amiens-Glisy and bombed the aerodrome in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. He has completed 22 and Sergeant Gray 26 operational missions, and both have at all times pressed home their attacks with courage and determination.
These were the temporary graves of Wing Commander John Fraser Grant Jenkins, Pilot Officer Henry Paul Brancker, Observer, and Flying Sergeant Charles Henry Gray, Wireless Operator. Their Blenheim IV aircraft of 110 Squadront took off at 1915 on March 27th 1942 from West Raynham to perform Intruder operations over Soesterberg Airfield. It was shot down by Flak and crashed 2235 on the Dijmat Estate at Zeist (Utrecht) Holland.
Hi Shelia, Actually Sarah Allan was mother to James b 1771. His father was also James born 1736. So Sarah…