John Ronald
"Jack" Urwin-Mann

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Gallantry Awards Won By Two Ontario Fliers

(By FOSTER BARCLAY.)
London, April 6 (CF). — Three Canadians whose gallantry won recognition in the desert air war of the Middle East are listed in tonight's Air Ministry announcement of awards.
Acting Flight-Lieutenant John Ronald Urwin-Mann, born in Victoria, B.C., receives a bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross; Acting Flight-Lieutenant Robert Wilfred Alexander of Norwich, Ont., and Acting Flight-Lieutenant, Clifton Watt Harper of Brighton, Ont., receive the D.F.C.
Urwin-Mann was one of the R.A.F.'s top pilots in the spectacular battles over Britain in the fall of 1940 when the German air force tried unsuccessfully to defeat British air power. He was awarded the D.F.C. on Nov. 19, 1940, after his record showed he had shot down eight enemy planes. A member of Squadron 238, Urwin-Mann's second citation for a decoration does not establish whether he won it in raids on the Continent or over territory in the Middle East. The citation says:
"This officer led a formation of four aircraft in combat against a superior force of Messerschmitt 109's. Although he was wounded in the back, and later his aircraft was badly damaged, he flew it safely back to the base some sixty miles away. The next day, this officer was again leading his flight.
"He has been engaged in operational flying both in England and the Middle East and has led his flight squadron or wing on some forty sorties, often in adverse weather conditions."

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URWIN-MANN, F/O John Ronald (42281) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.238 Sq.
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 26 November 1940.

This officer has displayed initiative and dash in his many engagements against the enemy. He has led his section in an excellent manner and has destroyed at least eight enemy aircraft.

Specifically listed in AFRO 1292/41 dated 7 November 1941 as a Canadian in the RAF who had been decorated as of that date. AFRO 649/42 dated 1 May 1942 (announcing Bar to DFC) does so as well. It would appear that even those publishing Air Force Routine Orders interpreted "Canadian" very broadly, as Chris Shores (Aces High, 2nd edition) is quite clear that Urwin-Mann was raised in England and had only a brief residence in Canada (rather like Max Aitkin). Air Ministry Bulletin 6590 refers to DFC award.

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URWIN-MANN, F/L John Ronald (42281) - Bar to DFC - No.238 Squadron
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 7 April 1942. Air Ministry Bulletin 6598 refers.

In November 1941 this officer led a formation of aircraft in combat against a superior force of Messerschmitt 109s. Although he was wounded in the back and later his aircraft was badly damaged, Flight Lieutenant Urwin-Mann flew it safely back to base. Next day this officer was again leading his flight. He has been engaged on operational flying almost continuously since June 1940, both in England and the Middle East. He has led his flight, squadron or wing on some 40 sorties, often in adverse weather conditions. Many successes have been achieved in which Flight Lieutenant Urwin-Mann played a prominent part. He has destroyed at least eight enemy aircraft.

NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/4782 has original recommendation as communicated by RAFHQ Middle East to Air Ministry, 24 February 1942. It differs in giving more details and is quoted below:

On 23 November 1941, Flight Lieutenant Urwin-Mann was leading a formation of four fighters which was engaged by a much superior force of Messerschmitt 109s. During the combat, he was wounded in the back and later had his aircraft badly damaged. Nevertheless, he managed to bring his aircraft over 60 miles across the desert to his base, and was leading his flight again the following day. This officer has been engaged on operations with his squadron almost continuously since June 1940, both in England and the Middle East, and has destroyed eight enemy aircraft, and probably destroyed or damaged four more. During the present campaign he has led his flight, squadron [and] wing on more than 40 operational sorties, sometimes in extremely bad weather and it is due to his unflagging keenness that formations led by him have successfully engaged and destroyed numerous enemy aircraft.

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URWIN-MANN, S/L John Ronald (42281) - Distinguished Service Order - No.126 Sq. Awarded as per London Gazette dated 14 May 1943. Air Ministry Bulletin 10199 refers.

Within the past six months whilst operating from Malta, this officer has completed a large number of sorties, involving attacks on factories, warehouses, port installations, power stations and airfields in Sicily and nearby enemy islands. On one occasion he led a formation which attacked an airfield and destroyed many aircraft on the ground. Squadron-Leader Urwin-Mann also obtained a hit on a petrol installation, causing a violent explosion and a large fire. Another of his successes was the destruction of a portion of the main railway line during a sortie at Gela in January 1943. During the same operations Squadron Leader Urwin-Mann engaged a Messerschmitt 210, shooting away its starboard engine. By his great skill and inspiring leadership this officer has raised his squadron to a high pitch of fighting efficiency.

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--- Canadian Aces ---

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