LAC. Roy Jackson MBE, DFM.
Royal Air Force 51 Squadron
from:Burnley, Lancashire
My father, Roy Jackson, was 19 years old when stationed in Dishforth in 1939 and during this time he met my mother, Florence Marshall Dykes, who lived in York and was just 16 years old. He used to ride his motorcycle in all weathers to see her. They married in 1941 and remained so until my father's death in 2003. He left the RAF post war but returned in the 1950's, retiring in 1972 having attained the rank of Wing Commander. At the time of writing (2017), my mother, Florence, is alive and well, aged 94.
On the 27th October, 1939, Roy Jackson, then aged 19, was a member of the crew of the Whitley Mk III K8984 that had to be abandoned due to severe icing on return to Dishforth, following a leaflet-dropping mission to Munchen, at 1805 hrs near Villeneuve-les-Vertus, France.
Alfred Adair (Griff) Griffin - Rear gunner, failed to hear the order to bale out and was still in his turret when the aircraft crashed. He survived the ordeal with little more than cuts and bruises. On returning to the UK, Roy brought back a bottle of Eau de Cologne for my mother that she has to this day. It was never opened but the contents have long since evaporated.
In this photo, King George VI pays a visit to meet Griff and the crew. Left to Right Wng Cdr Sylvester?, King Georg VI, Sgt Thomas (Johnny) William Bowles - Pilot baled out, Sgt Alan Arnold (Bill) Emery - Copilot baled out, Sgt Edmund John (Ali) Barber - baled out, AC1 Roy (Jacko) Jackson - baled out and Sgt Alfred Adair (Griff) Griffin - Rear Gunner injured.
