RAF Station Skeabrae CO, summer 1943

[CZ_RAF]

Hi all,

I would like to ask if anyone can confirm me that the RAF Station Skeabrae CO was Aussie 39474 Desmond Frederick Burt Sheen DFC & Bar around June 1943?
I am also interested in his rank he has held at the time - I would expect A/G/Cpt but maybe he was just a A/W/Cdr?

Any help would be much appreciated.

TIA

Pavel

[Resmoroh]

Pavel, Hi,
Not a lot of use to answer your question, but I find:-

Air Ministry, 7th May, 1940. ROYAL AIR FORCE. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards:—
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Flying Officer Desmond Frederick Burt SHEEN (39474)Flying
3 Sep 1940 Prom Flt Lt
Air Ministry.21st October, 1941. ROYAL AIR FORCE. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve-the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the .enemy: —
Distinguished Service Order: Acting Squadron Leader Desmond Frederick Burt SHEEN, - D.F.C. (39474), No. 72 Squadron.
16 Dec 1941 A/Sqn Ldr to T/Sqn Ldr.
1 Jul 1944 Prom T/Wg Cdr
14 Jul 1949 Cmd Flt Lt(Perm) RAF GD
1 Jul 1950 Prom Sqn Ldr
1 Jan 1956 Prom Wg Cdr
1 Jan 1964 Prom Gp Capt.
It is a bit odd because although he is awarded a DSO on 21 Oct 40, it never appears in his post-nominals in subsequent LG entries.

It was a self-accounting Station so there must be files in TNA? They might not have been digitised?
HTH

[CZ_RAF]

Peter thank you for additional valuable info.
Anyway my original questions still remain...

Pavel

[COL BRUGGY]

Pavel, Hi,
Not a lot of use to answer your question, but I find:-

Air Ministry, 7th May, 1940. ROYAL AIR FORCE. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards:—
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Flying Officer Desmond Frederick Burt SHEEN (39474)Flying
3 Sep 1940 Prom Flt Lt
Air Ministry.21st October, 1941. ROYAL AIR FORCE. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve-the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the .enemy: —
Distinguished Service Order: Acting Squadron Leader Desmond Frederick Burt SHEEN, - D.F.C. (39474), No. 72 Squadron.
16 Dec 1941 A/Sqn Ldr to T/Sqn Ldr.
1 Jul 1944 Prom T/Wg Cdr
14 Jul 1949 Cmd Flt Lt(Perm) RAF GD
1 Jul 1950 Prom Sqn Ldr
1 Jan 1956 Prom Wg Cdr
1 Jan 1964 Prom Gp Capt.
It is a bit odd because although he is awarded a DSO on 21 Oct 40, it never appears in his post-nominals in subsequent LG entries.

It was a self-accounting Station so there must be files in TNA? They might not have been digitised?
HTH

Hello,

39474 Desmond Frederick Burt Sheen was never awarded a DSO. The LG entry on 21 October, 1941 is for the award of a Bar to his DFC!

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...upplement/6103

Sheen retired w.e.f., 2 January, 1971.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...supplement/675

Col.

[COL BRUGGY]

Pavel,

Aces High/Shores & Williams/1994/pp.543-4, simply states:

"SHEEN, Desmond Frederick Burt - Wing Commander - RAF No. 39474.

"A year later in November 1942, he took command of RAF Manston until April 1943, subsequently commanding Skeabrae and Drem airfields in Scotland."

Col.

[CZ_RAF]

Hi Colin, thank you very much! Some confirmation at least.

Pavel

[highgroundsman]

Pavel, to add to my last message, Skeabrae ORB states also for entry August 23 1943: "W/Cdr. D.F.B. Sheen departed from RAF station Skeabrae for Drem upon his posting there as Station Commander".

[highgroundsman]

Hi Pavel, posting again as my last message disappeared. Skeabrae ORB entry for June 22 1943: "RESUMPTION OF COMMAND - With effect from 21st June 1943, W/Cdr D.F.B.Sheen. DFC. resumes command of RAF station Skeabrae on return from leave".

[CZ_RAF]

Dave thank you very much!

Pavel