HughAHalliday
11th June 2022, 02:45
MacKEY, Denis John, Sergeant (760775) - No.109 Squadron - Air Force Medal - awarded as per London Gazette dated 1 January 1942. Information from Spink catalogue, Transcribed by Huguette Mondor Oates. The confidential recommendation states:
The investigational work performed by the unit requires the employment of specially trained wireless operators and Sergeant Mackey was selected for his skill and intelligence. He has contributed materially to the success of many missions whereby information of the utmost importance had been obtained. In the face of difficult conditions, Sergeant Mackey has shown outstanding qualities.
Sergeant Denis John Mackey, A.F.M., served during the early stages of the Second World War as a Wireless Operator with 109 Squadron. The latter squadron had been re-born on 10.12.1940 from the Wireless Intelligence Development Unit (W.I.D.U.) whose Headquarters were at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire. Using Anson and Wellington aircraft, it was engaged during the next two years in the development of radio counter measures and also new radar aids, notably the blink bombing system known as Oboe. Mackey was killed in a flying accident, 21.11.1941, when Wellington T2552 piloted by Flight Lieutenant B.P. Hennessey, ‘Crashed while trying to land at Oakington’ (Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, refers), the entire crew of six were killed, and Mackey was buried in the Cambridge City Cemetery.
The investigational work performed by the unit requires the employment of specially trained wireless operators and Sergeant Mackey was selected for his skill and intelligence. He has contributed materially to the success of many missions whereby information of the utmost importance had been obtained. In the face of difficult conditions, Sergeant Mackey has shown outstanding qualities.
Sergeant Denis John Mackey, A.F.M., served during the early stages of the Second World War as a Wireless Operator with 109 Squadron. The latter squadron had been re-born on 10.12.1940 from the Wireless Intelligence Development Unit (W.I.D.U.) whose Headquarters were at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire. Using Anson and Wellington aircraft, it was engaged during the next two years in the development of radio counter measures and also new radar aids, notably the blink bombing system known as Oboe. Mackey was killed in a flying accident, 21.11.1941, when Wellington T2552 piloted by Flight Lieutenant B.P. Hennessey, ‘Crashed while trying to land at Oakington’ (Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, refers), the entire crew of six were killed, and Mackey was buried in the Cambridge City Cemetery.