HughAHalliday
13th April 2022, 12:44
BREMNER, James, Sergeant (1100103) -No.16 Operational Training Unit – British Empire Medal – awarded as per London Gazette dated 30 October 1942:
‘In October, 1941, Sergeant Bremner was wireless operator in an aircraft engaged in exercises over the sea when some 10 miles from the coast, one engine failed. The pilot then turned the aircraft towards land after having released his bombs into the sea and, when endeavouring to make a forced landing, the aircraft crashed in a field and caught fire. Sergeant Bremner was stunned but, recovering quickly, immediately went to the assistance of the 3 other members of the crew who were completely incapacitated. He succeeded in removing from the aircraft the second wireless operator and the navigator, both of whom were unconscious. He then attempted to extricate the pilot who was strapped in the cockpit although it is believed, he was already dead. Whilst so doing, Sergeant Bremner saw people in the distance, shouted for help, and then collapsed. He had received concussion and shock as a result of the accident and had not other help arrived when he collapsed, he and his comrades, whom he had saved, might have been in further grave danger from exploding petrol tanks. This airman displayed great courage and initiative in dangerous circumstances and was undoubtedly the main factor in rescuing two of his comrades. Unfortunately, one of them succumbed to his injuries the same night’.
BREMNER, James, F/L, BEM (146952) - No.35 Squadron – Distinguished Flying Cross – awarded as per London Gazette dated 16 January 1945 with no citation. Spink catalogue of 22 April 1990 has the following recommendation dated 21.10.1944:
“Flight Lieutenant Bremner has a magnificent record of service; he is now on his second tour of operations and has, altogether, taken part in 65 bombing operations against the enemy.
“As a Wireless Operator Air Gunner, he has, on many occasions, demonstrated his skill in the use of special equipment and his general efficiency and enthusiasm has gained him the complete confidence of his crew.
“Flight Lieutenant Bremner has recently operated in a Master Bomber crew and has proved absolutely fearless under all conditions. In recognition of this, Officer’s long record to devotion to duty and reliability, he is recommended for the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Air Ministry Bulletin 17093 published the following version:
This officer has a long record of air operations. As wireless operator he has, on many occasions demonstrated his outstanding skill and his general efficiency has earned for him the entire confidence of his crew. Flight Lieutenant Bremner has always displayed courage and enthusiasm of a high order throughout his long and successful operational tour.
Flight Lieutenant James Bremner, D.F.C., B.E.M., born 12.12.1921, served with the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, and was awarded the B.E.M. (see citation above) whilst serving with No. 16 O.T.U., Upper Heyford, 17.10.1941; posted to 35 Squadron (Halifaxes), Path Finder Force, at Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, he began his tour 10.5.1942 – operational sorties included Frankfurt, Dusseldorf (2), Kiel, Cologne (2), Genoa (4), Turin (2), Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg (2). Commissioned Pilot Officer, 21.4.1943, Bremner converted to Lancasters and began his second tour 3.5.1944, playing a full part in ensuring the success of the D-Day landings, bombing the coastal battery at Maisy, 5.6.1944 and St. Lo, 6.6.1944. By the end of his second tour, 16.10.44, he had flown a total of 65 operational sorties. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 21.10.1946, and Squadron Leader, 1.1.1966, Bremner retired from the Royal Air Force 5.4.1968..
‘In October, 1941, Sergeant Bremner was wireless operator in an aircraft engaged in exercises over the sea when some 10 miles from the coast, one engine failed. The pilot then turned the aircraft towards land after having released his bombs into the sea and, when endeavouring to make a forced landing, the aircraft crashed in a field and caught fire. Sergeant Bremner was stunned but, recovering quickly, immediately went to the assistance of the 3 other members of the crew who were completely incapacitated. He succeeded in removing from the aircraft the second wireless operator and the navigator, both of whom were unconscious. He then attempted to extricate the pilot who was strapped in the cockpit although it is believed, he was already dead. Whilst so doing, Sergeant Bremner saw people in the distance, shouted for help, and then collapsed. He had received concussion and shock as a result of the accident and had not other help arrived when he collapsed, he and his comrades, whom he had saved, might have been in further grave danger from exploding petrol tanks. This airman displayed great courage and initiative in dangerous circumstances and was undoubtedly the main factor in rescuing two of his comrades. Unfortunately, one of them succumbed to his injuries the same night’.
BREMNER, James, F/L, BEM (146952) - No.35 Squadron – Distinguished Flying Cross – awarded as per London Gazette dated 16 January 1945 with no citation. Spink catalogue of 22 April 1990 has the following recommendation dated 21.10.1944:
“Flight Lieutenant Bremner has a magnificent record of service; he is now on his second tour of operations and has, altogether, taken part in 65 bombing operations against the enemy.
“As a Wireless Operator Air Gunner, he has, on many occasions, demonstrated his skill in the use of special equipment and his general efficiency and enthusiasm has gained him the complete confidence of his crew.
“Flight Lieutenant Bremner has recently operated in a Master Bomber crew and has proved absolutely fearless under all conditions. In recognition of this, Officer’s long record to devotion to duty and reliability, he is recommended for the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Air Ministry Bulletin 17093 published the following version:
This officer has a long record of air operations. As wireless operator he has, on many occasions demonstrated his outstanding skill and his general efficiency has earned for him the entire confidence of his crew. Flight Lieutenant Bremner has always displayed courage and enthusiasm of a high order throughout his long and successful operational tour.
Flight Lieutenant James Bremner, D.F.C., B.E.M., born 12.12.1921, served with the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, and was awarded the B.E.M. (see citation above) whilst serving with No. 16 O.T.U., Upper Heyford, 17.10.1941; posted to 35 Squadron (Halifaxes), Path Finder Force, at Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, he began his tour 10.5.1942 – operational sorties included Frankfurt, Dusseldorf (2), Kiel, Cologne (2), Genoa (4), Turin (2), Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg (2). Commissioned Pilot Officer, 21.4.1943, Bremner converted to Lancasters and began his second tour 3.5.1944, playing a full part in ensuring the success of the D-Day landings, bombing the coastal battery at Maisy, 5.6.1944 and St. Lo, 6.6.1944. By the end of his second tour, 16.10.44, he had flown a total of 65 operational sorties. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 21.10.1946, and Squadron Leader, 1.1.1966, Bremner retired from the Royal Air Force 5.4.1968..