LEST WE FORGET
Flying Officer Frederick Roy JACKSON DFM
Service No: 400989
Born: sale VIC, 18 December 1918
Enlisted in the RAAF: 7 December 1940
Unit: No 109 Squadron (RAF)
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM), 2 October 1942
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 109 Squadron Mosquito aircraft DZ434), England, 22 October 1943, Aged 24 Years
Buried: Cambridge City Cemetery, Cambridgeshire
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Frederick William and Una Agnes Jackson, of Sale, Victoria, Australia
Roll of Honour: Sale VIC
Remembered: Panel 124, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
DFM Citation (for service with No. 460 Squadron): “During the attack on Duisberg on the night of 6/7th September 1942, Flight Sergeant Jackson, an Australian, was the Captain of a Wellington bomber which was held in searchlights in the target area and flak holes were made in the aircraft. Shortly afterwards the aircraft was attacked by a night fighter and during the engagement, the front gunner received a cannon shell in the left foot, the Wireless operator was wounded in the left hand and the rear gunner was wounded in the left leg. Return fire from the Rear gunner was seen to hit the fighter. The hydraulics were damaged and the undercarriage dropped away. The compass and the wireless were damaged, the trimming tabs were shot away and the tail oleo was damaged by a cannon shell. Despite this damage, Flight Sergeant Jackson crash landed successfully without causing further injuries to his crew. The Captain’s skilful and calculated handling of his aircraft under these extremely difficult conditions showed a high degree of courage, skill and initiative. I consider his devotion to duty and gallant conduct fully merits the award of DFM.” This recommendation of the Squadron Commander was strongly supported by the Station Commander and the Air Officer Commanding and the award was promulgated in the London Gazette of 2 October 1942.
During night flying practice on 22 October 1943 Mosquito DZ434, got into difficulties when descending through cloud and the aircraft disintegrated following loss of control and dived into the ground. The Pilot was killed and the navigator was thrown out of the aircraft and was able to use his parachute and land safely.
The crew members of DZ434 were:
Flying Officer Frederick Roy Jackson DFM (400989) (Pilot)
Flying Officer Vivian Ernest Richard Piper DFC and Bar (406538) (Navigator) Thrown Clear – safe, Discharged from the RAAF: 14 November 1945
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/20/71