_________________________________________________
Acting S/L Sidney LINNARD (40179), Distinguished Flying Cross, No. 274 Sq.
London Gazette #35425, 16 January 1942
This officer has shown himself to be an exceptionally resolute leader. In December 1941, he led the squadron against a force of 15 Junkers 87s escorted by 16 fighter aircraft. The engagement resulted in the loss of 5 enemy aircraft while the remainder were dispersed. Two days later, Squadron Leader Linnard led his squadron as part of a wing escort to a formation of bombers detailed to attack enemy columns between El Adem and Sidi Rezegh. During the flight, some 30 enemy fighters were encountered but, under the skilful leadership of Squadron Leader Linnard, his squadron provided protection for the bombers for some time and, when the enemy finally attacked, 3 of their aircraft were shot down and many others damaged. Squadron Leader Linnard has participated in operational flying over a long period, including the campaigns in Greece and Syria, and has always shown courage and skill.
_________________________________________________
"... The photo attached is exactly how I remember
him. He was my first CO (at Locking) when I was an Aircraft Apprentice.
He awarded me my first recorded (on conduct sheet) punishment in the RAF.
The whole Wing had been paraded to find out who had been throwing fireworks
out of the coach taking 30 odd of us back to camp after mid-term break.
If nobody owned up then everybody on the coach would be punished. I, with
my chum, Paul Luker, had stepped forward. We were the only ones to do
so and were subsequently charged with the offence. Because of the seriousness
of the offence we were remanded by our Flight Commander and subsequently
the Squadron Commander to appear before the Wing Commander, (because of
his greater powers of punishment). It looked as if we were destined to
do time in the Glasshouse (cells) or perhaps even be remanded for Court
Martial.
Sidney Linnard listened to our admission and then looking very stern said
"Admonished! March them out ". I remember saying "Thank
you Sir" and his barked reply. "Don't thank me young man that
is a Punishment, it means you've had a good bollacking! What you did was
very dangerous and has brought the good name of the RAF into disrepute."
(I had been in all of 6 weeks and was still very green.) After we had
been marched out we were ushered back into the CO's office. He told us
"I know you were not the only culprits and that many others, all
more senior than yourselves, were also involved. But at least you had
the honesty and courage to own up rather than see the innocent punished.
However, you cannot go completely unpunished. So for the next month you
will both report, every evening, to Warrant Officer Parkes for fatigues
in the gymnasium. Now go and let this be a lesson to you."
I certainly learned several lessons from that and thought what a wise
and fair man the Wg Cdr was. I knew he had the DFC, and they didn't give
that out with the rations, but, until today I had no idea that he was
an ace.
And the punishment wasn't really that bad. Both Paul and I were in the
Wing Boxing Team and would have been in the gym anyway. You see the Wing
Warrant Officer, WO Percy Parkes, (between the wars the RAF Flyweight
Champion), was the also the wing boxing coach.
Pete" |
_________________________________________________
--- English Aces
---
_______________________________________________
|
