trying to find ...

[lauren 09]

Right i was telling my partner about this site , and he said he would like to know more about his grandad again he has tried looking on the internet but came up with notihing , so can any one help ?? all we have on him is that his name  was Keith durn and he joined the RAF , in his obituary it says he wa part of the dam busters and was mentioned in dispatches , we have found a keith dunn , could this of been a spelling mistake on there part ??

[km1971]

I cannot find him listed on this Dam Busters website - http://www.dambusters.org.uk/index.htm

Or on the LG  - http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/AdvancedSearch.aspx?geotype=London - for a MID.

Ken

[kyt]

The only appropriate Durn I can find in the LG is a probate notification for 2002 for a retired photographer in Powys (same person).

Sadly, local newspapers are notorious for mangling details of veterans. I have just posted an article on my forum about another so-called Dambuster, who was actually 44 Squadron. And over the last few months, I and several others have spent a lot of time disentangling other obits - all because reporters are too lazy or ignorant to report the correct facts.

I would advise contacting the RAF for his records. With such an unusual surname you probably won't need his service number. But try to find his Date of Birth as that will assist them a lot.

K

[Nemo]

Hi

Did your partner's grandad die in June 1944?

Nemo

[lauren 09]

hi thanks for the reply's , no he didnt die in 1944 , he was a photographer , will try and find out his date of birth .

[IMBER]

John Sweetman's excellent book "The Dambusters Raid" lists all those decorated. None of the aircrew appear to have had a surname anything like Durn/Dunn. Apart from the aircrew, who were decorated, there is a list of those serving on the ground who received "Commendations for meritorious service".  The only possible candidate here is Wing Commander W E Dunn, Chief Signals Officer, Headquarters 5 Group.