My graddad fought in WWII under the RAF as a Navigator. He was awarded the Flying Cross and there's a record for some of his flights
SPENCLER, F/L Roland Aylesworth (J20708) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.405 Squadron - Award effective 10 May 1945 as per London Gazette dated 22 May 1945 and AFRO 1147/45 dated 13 July 1945. Born 1910 in Anderson, Ontario; home in St.Thomas or London, Ontario; enlisted in Windsor, Ontario, 2 April 1940. Trained at No.6 ITS (graduated 17 July 1942), No.1 AOS (graduated 5 November 1942) and No.1 ANS (graduated 14 December 1942). Commissioned 1942. Award sent by registered mail 10 January 1953. No citation other than "completed... numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty". Public Records Office Air 2/9070 has recommendation dated 20 February 1945 when he had flown 41 sorties (181 hours ten minutes), 1 August 1944 to 13 February 1945. Sortie list and times identical to that for F/L H.H. Gouchey; obviously in same crew.
1 Aug 44 L'Hey (3.45) 16 Nov 44 Julich (3.25)
3 Aug 44 Foret de Nieppe (4.00) 18 Nov 44 Wanne Eickel (4.30)
4 Aug 44 Bois de Cassant (4.45) 2 Dec 44 Hagen (5.25)
5 Aug 44 St.Leu d'Esserant (4.55) 6 Dec 44 Merseburg (6.20)
8 Aug 44 Chantilly (4.10) 12 Dec 44 Essen (4.25)
16 Aug 44 Kiel (4.15) 17 Dec 44 Ulm (6.10)
18 Aug 44 Bremen (5.25) 22 Dec 44 Bingen (4.25)
25 Aug 44 Brest (5.30) 27 Dec 44 Rheydt (3.50)
27 Aug 44 Mimoyceques (3.35) 28 Dec 44 Bonn (4.30)
28 Aug 44 Oeuf de Ternais (3.30) 29 Dec 44 Scholven (4.40)
26 Sep 44 Cap Gris Nez (2.30) 30 Dec 44 Cologne (4.10)
27 Sep 44 Bottrop (3.15) 2 Jan 45 Nuremburg (6.15)
5 Oct 44 Saarbrucken (4.40) 5 Jan 45 Royan (5.00)
6 Oct 44 Sterkrade (3.10) 14 Jan 45 Saarbrucken (4.45)
15 Oct 44 Wilhelmshaven (4.15) 16 Jan 45 Magdeburg (5.40)
19 Oct 44 Stuttgart (5.20) 22 Jan 45 Duisburg (3.45)
23 Oct 44 Essen (4.20) 28 Jan 45 Stuttgart (5.40)
25 Oct 44 Homberg (3.15) 1 Feb 45 Mannheim (5.10)
28 Oct 44 Cologne (4.40) 7 Feb 45 Cleve (4.05)
29 Oct 44 Walcheren (2.20) 13 Feb 45 Dresden (7.55)
6 Nov 44 Gelsenkirchen (3.30)
This officer is a very capable and efficient navigator, who has participated in attacks on very heavily defended enemy targets such as Bottrop, Saarbrucken, Stuttgart and Essen. This officer's devotion to duty, even under the heaviest enemy fire, as well as his determination to make every attack successful has, in no small way, contributed much to the successes attained by his crew. On the ground, this officer has spent many hours training new navigators and the successes derived from his experienced teachings have done much to keep the efficiency of the navigation section of this squadron at its very high standard.
