OWEN, Rhys Frederick
| Service Number: | 62956 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 March 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Leading Aircraftman |
| Last Unit: | No. 10 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Granville, New South Wales, 23 January 1922 |
| Home Town: | Saratoga, Gosford Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Woy Woy Memorial Park |
World War 2 Service
| 6 Mar 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, 62956, No. 10 Squadron (RAAF) | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Mar 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 62956 | |
| 27 Aug 1943: | Honoured Distinguished Flying Medal, Courage over the Bay of Biscay, when aircraft attack. | |
| 3 May 1945: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 62956 |
Help us honour Rhys Frederick Owen's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Julianne Ryan
Born: 23 January 1922, Granville, New South Wales
NOK: E Owen
16/3/1942 enlisted into RAAF, at Woy Woy, NSW
place of enlisting at Sydney, NSW
Flying Officer Gross and Sergeants Moser and Owen were navigator, armourer/air gunner and flight engineer respectively of an aircraft captained by Flying Officer Williams detailed for a flight in August 1943. Whilst over the Bay of Biscay the aircraft was attacked by 7 enemy aircraft. In the ensuing engagement, which lasted an hour, flying Officer Williams fought with great skill and determination. The aircraft was repeatedly hit and when the inter-communication system was putout of action, Flying Officer Gross, though wounded, did everything he could to keep his Captain informed of the enemy’s tactics. The starboard main petrol tank was pierced and Sergeant Moser crawled into the mainplane and attempted to stop the leak.
He afterwards manned the galley gun, relieving Sergeant Owen who had fought with great resolution and remained at his post although wounded in the knee by cannon fire, and assisted in frustrating many attacks. Flying Officer Williams succeeded in flying the damaged aircraft to base being greatly assisted by Flying Officer Gross, whose navigation in difficult circumstances was of a high order. In the face of trying circumstances these members of the aircraft crew displayed great courage, skill and determination.
(By 416164 Flying Officer Basil Alfred Williams and 285147 Flying Officer Reginald William Stuart Gross DFC.)
27/8/1943 London Gazette - Awarded - "Distinguished Flying Medal"
Leading Aircraftman in 10 SQUADRON (overseas)
*** service record needs to be ordered through National Archives of Australia ***
3/5/1945 Discharged from service
Last resided at Saratoga, Central Coast, New South Wales.
Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 9/6/2016. Lest we forget.
Click images to start slideshow.