Portrait of 413221 Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) Francis Edwin Mathers RAAF, pilot of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._77_Squadron_RAF" class="extiw" title="en:No. 77 Squadron RAF">77 Squadron RAF</a>, from Pagewood, NSW in front of a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handley_Page_Halifax" class="extiw" title="en:Handley Page Halifax">Halifax</a> aircraft. Limping home over the North Sea after being crippled by flak while bombing Mulheim on 22 June 1943, a Halifax aircraft piloted by Mathers destroyed a Messerschmitt Me110, shot down by the rear gunner Sgt William F Speedie. The aircraft suffered further damage when it made a wheels-up landing at Martlesham Heath.
For his devotion to duty on this operation Flt Sgt Mathers was immediately awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (CGM), the only one to a member of 77 Squadron, and soon after commissioned as a Pilot Officer (PO). The rear gunner, Sgt. Speedie , and the Wireless Operator, Sgt Edward G O French, were both awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. PO Mathers and his crew were shot down and all killed on a raid on Mannheim on the 6th September 1943, they are buried at Durnbach, Germany. Mathers was aged 21 at the time of his death.
not stated
circa June 1943 <div style="display: none;">date QS:P,+1943-06-00T00:00:00Z/10,P1480,Q5727902</div>
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