"Osborne" AIR 2/4857

From:- Headquarters, R.A.F. Mediterranean. SECRET

To:- Headquarters, R.A.F. Middle East.

Date:- 26th May, 1942 .

Ref:- HQMED/3288/1/P.1.

HONOURS AND AWARDS.

F/O (A/F/Lt.) H.B.H DICKINSON (82889). 562435. A/W/O. BISHOP, D.

1058637 L.A.C. OSBORNE, A.M. (DECEASED).

With reference to your signal P.57 dated 23rd May, 1942, the following additional information is forwarded in amplification of the facts contained in the recommendations submitted in respect of the above named personnel under my Command.

F/O. (A/F/Lt.) H.B.H DICKINSON (82889).

This Officer has been employed under bomb disposal duties since 26th November, 1941, and from that date until 9th May, 1942, when recommended for an award of the George Cross, he dealt with 154 unexploded bombs, including 13 with No. 17 (long delay) fuses. The number of bombs which F/Lt. Dickinson has disposed of does not indicate fully the extreme gallantry which he has displayed whilst carrying out these duties. I have seen him myself digging on aerodromes in order to get at bomb fuses at a time when heavy bombing raids were in progress. His imperturbability has been impressive and an example to many Officers considerably younger than himself, he being 55 years of age.

562435 A/W/O. BISHOP, D.

Warrant Officer Bishop dealt with 114 unexploded bombs between 1stDecember, 1941, and the date I recommended him for an award of the British Empire Medal, 86 of which he rendered innocuous during the month of April, 1942. Six of the bombs dealt with during the period under review were fitted with long delay fuses. This warrant Officer has not had the training of a bomb disposal expert, but has taken great pains to obtain his knowledge from association with the Command Armament Officer. He has not been in a position to avail himself of a bomb disposal squad, and has set an example both in initiative and resourcefulness.

1058637 L.A.C. OSBORNE, A.M. (DECEASED).

Since December, 1941, this airman has been instrumental in saving or attempting to save 8 different aircraft from total destruction by fire. Examples of the gallantry displayed by him are given in the following précis of his actions on the occasions mentioned:

(1) During December, 1941, he assisted in putting out a fire in a Swordfish aircraft. This fire was growing in intensity and it appeared that a torpedo which had been placed in position on the aircraft was in danger of exploding. With complete disregard for his own safety L.A.C. Osborne removed the primers and detonators from the torpedo, thereby ensuring that an explosion would not take place. This operation took approximately ten minutes to carry out and was performed about three feet from the main petrol tank of the aircraft, which was exhibiting signs of burning a few minutes before the torpedo was removed.

(2) On another occasion during December he was instrumental in putting out a fire in a Hurricane aircraft which had been caused by a bomb splinter. He attacked the fire with great courage whilst the aerodrome was being subjected to a heavy bombing attack and his extreme courageous actions undoubtedly saved the aircraft from being a total loss.