"Ward" AIR 2/5686 (2) (WARD)

Covering Remarks of Air Officer Commanding.

I can add nothing to the above recommendation except to point out that the aircraft at the time have been flying at a speed of 100 miles per hour or over. This N.C.O. must have been fully aware of the faint chance of success which was likely to attend his forlorn hope effort to extinguish this fire. In spite of this, he unhesitatingly made the attempt, climbing through the narrow aperture of the Astro Hatch. * which prevented him from being equipped with a parachute and giving him some hope of safety should he be swept from his very exposed position while climbing out of the fuselage and along the wing.

At the time the aircraft was carrying out a sea passage, therefore there is little likelihood that any of the crew would have been saved had they been compelled to abandon the aircraft.

It has been submitted that this supreme act of courage and self-sacrifice merits the highest

Air Vice-Marshal, Commanding No.3 Group.

9th July, 1941.

Forwarded and strongly supported by A.O.C. in C., Bomber Command (vide covering letter BC/S.23914/7/P. of 12.7.41.)

* Spoke Bomber Command (LTC Dawes) – the parachute was handed to Sgt Ward after he has climbed through the hatch. F E Sheppard S10.a. 14/7/41