P/O George Thomas GILBY - No.78 Sqiadron - DFC

[HughAHalliday]

GILBY, George Thomas, P/O (155910) - No. 78 Squadron - Distinguished Flying Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 10 December 1943. Airman 1386497, commissioned 7 August 1943 Citation in AMB 12236.

This officer has completed a tour of operational duty during which he has attacked many of the most heavily defended target in Germany. He has invariably shown a high degree of courage, skill and determination, performing his duties both in the air and on the ground with the greatest keenness and efficiency. On one occasion Pilot Officer Gilby was involved in a serious crash but displayed coolness and an utter disregard for his own safety, he assisted in the rescue of his crew from the burning aircraft.

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

P/O Gilby's 'serious crash'

29-30 Sep 1943
78 Sqn
Halifax II LW263 EY-E
Op: Bochum.

T/o 1804 Breighton. On regaining the east coast, the crew were unable to pinpoint their position and after searching for some while, crashed into a wooded area on the Foxhill Road near Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. On 10 December 1943, the London Gazette published details of a DFM being awarded to Sgt Cherry.

P/O E E Kitchen DFC
Sgt R Cherry
P/O D J Polman +
Sgt T H Sharpe +
Sgt H E M Watson inj.
F/S D F Booth
P/O G T Gilby DFC

See: BCL4/p.341.

Halifax II LW263 - 78 Sqn - Stalled avoiding factory chimney returning from Bochum and crashed ?m E of Scunthorpe, Lincs., 30.9.43 - Destroyed By Fire.

See:
Royal Air Force Aircraft LA100 - LZ999.
Halley, James J. (Comp.).
Tonbridge:Air-Britain(Historians),1991.
p.105.

Col.