W/Cdr Dudley Henderson BURNSIDE, D.S.O, D.F.C. (37464).

[Steve Smith]

Hi,

Trying to locate the citation for W/Cdr Burnsides DSO DFC. I have a copy of The Distinguished Service Order 1920-2006 Air Awards by Doug V.P Hearns, but this does not even list him?

Any pointers welcome.

TIA

Steve

[Don Clark]

Previous 2005 archived thread reveals all.

Dudley Henderson BURNSIDE DSO DFC+Bar (37464).

"BURNSIDE, Dudley Henderson, G/C, DFC (37464, Royal Air Force) - No.195 Squadron - Distinguished Service Order - awarded as per London Gazette dated 26 October 1945.
No citation to DSO in Gazette; following text transcribed from Air Ministry Bulletin 20047 and Flight, 29 November 1945.

"Group Captain Burnside has operated in Iraq, Persia, India and Burma. Under his leadership his squadron has shown outstanding results which have been in a very great measure due to this officer's determination and ability. He has led numerous operational missions and his coolness and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy have at all times set a fine example." "

Source: 2005 thread http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/07572.php
The thread is comprehensive with bios, obits, ops summary, awards etc
The citation thanks as ever to indefatigable Hugh Halliday.


DSO London Gazette
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...upplement/5234
DFCs & London Gazette
DFC (Waziristan 1939) 25 Oct 1940: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...upplement/6177
Waziristan being out of scope for Honour The Air Forces [...] during WW II, Maton records only the DFC Bar as LG 13 Apr 1943
All else having failed, LG online search on "No. 427 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron"
finally found the DFC Bar for Henderson together with an extended account under Hayhurst's DFC: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...upplement/1681.

[HughAHalliday]

BURNSIDE, W/C Dudley Henderson (RAF 37464) - Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross - No.427 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 13 April 1943. Born in Woodford, Essex, 26 January 1912; home in Reading. Educated at King Edward VII School, Bury St.Edmunds. Enlisted in 14th London Regiment, Territorial Army, 1935; commissioned in RAF, 28 October 1935. To No.7 Flying Training School, Peterborough, 4 January 1936. Confirmed as Pilot Officer, 28 October 1936. Promoted Flying Officer, 28 April 1938. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 28 April 1940. Awarded DFC, 25 October 1940 for services in Waziristan, 1 January to 31 December 1939; promoted Squadron Leader, 1 June 1941. Promoted Wing Commander, 1 June 1942. Mentioned in Despatches, 1 January 1945. Awarded DSO, 26 October 1945 for service in No.195 Squadron. Granted commission in postwar RAF as Squadron Leader, 12 August 1946 with seniority from 1 January 1941. Promoted Wing Commander, 28 October 1947. Awarded OBE, 1 January 1952. Promoted Group Captain, 1 July 1954. Retired 23 March 1962. See Air Ministry Bulletin 2082). Cited with P/O R.J. Hayhurst (RAF) who was awarded DFC:

One night in March 1943, Wing Commander Burnside and Pilot Officer Hayhurst were captain and bomb aimer of an aircraft detailed to attack Essen. When nearing the target area the bomber was hit by anti-aircraft fire. One of the crew was killed and another severely wounded, while the aircraft sustained damage. The aileron control was affected, while the windscreen de-icing glycol tank burst, drenching Pilot Officer Hayhurst and filling the forward part of the bomber with suffocating fumes. Despite this, Pilot Officer Hayhurst directed his captain to the target, which was successfully bombed and a good photograph obtained. The aircraft was held by searchlights for a few minutes but Wing Commander Burnside skilfully evaded the defences and set course for home. On the return flight the aircraft encountered enemy fighters, but each time he shook them off. Displaying fine airmanship he flew the aircraft back to an airfield in this country.

The incident was on the night of 12/13 March 1943, P/O Roderick John Heather RCAF (J16756) being killed by a flak burst. On this night Burnside, F/O Reginald James Hayhurst and P/O David Burgess Ross (RAFVT 139642) were flying together and landed Wellington BK164 at Stradishall on return to England following severe battle damage. The surviving members of Burnside’ crew were all awarded medals for their actions on this night.

The following from the website “Aircraft Accidents in Yorkshire”:

Halifax DK186 damaged on Ops, returned to Leeming airfield.

On the night of 19th/20th June 1943 the crew of this aircraft had bombed Le Creusot, France. On the return flight and while crossing the French coast the aircraft was fired upon and slightly damaged. The mid upper gunner received injuries to his one of his heels, recorded in the 427 Squadron's war diary (as detailed on the 427 Squadron Association website) as being by a tracer bullet. The pilot made a safe return to Leeming airfield and the injured airman was admitted to hospital.

Pilot - W/C Dudley Henderson Burnside DFC and Bar RAF (37464).
Navigator - F/O Alexander Marlow Stockdale RCAF (J/10407).
Bomb Aimer - F/O Reginald James Hayhurst RAF (128419).
Wireless Operator - P/O Robert Vollum RAFVR (139641).
Mid Upper Gunner - F/Lt Jacques Ernest Durocher RCAF (J/7992). Slightly injured.
Rear Gunner - P/O David Burgess Ross RAFVR (139642).
Flight Engineer - F/Sgt Edgar James Solman RAF (576467).

BURNSIDE, Dudley Henderson, G/C, DFC (37464, Royal Air Force) - No.195 Squadron - Distinguished Service Order - awarded as per London Gazette dated 26 October 1945. Awarded OBE, January 1952. Born 26 January 1912 in Woodford, Essex; educated at King Edward VI School. Bury St.Edmunds. Home in Reading, Norfolk. Enlisted in 14th London Regiment, Territorial Army, 1935; commissioned in RAF 28 October 1935. Awarded DC, 25 October 1940 for services in Waziristan, 1939; awarded Bar to DFC, 13 April 1943 for services with No.427 Squadron. Mentioned in Despatches, January 1945. Awarded OBE, 1 January 1952. Promoted Group Captain, 1 July 1954. Retired 23 March 1962. No citation to DSO in Gazette; following text transcribed from Air Ministry Bulletin 20047 and Flight, 29 November 1945.

Group Captain Burnside has operated in Iraq, Persia, India and Burma. Under his leadership his squadron has shown outstanding results which have been in a very great measure due to this officer's determination and ability. He has led numerous operational missions and his coolness and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy have at all times set a fine example.