W/C John Ramsey St John DSO DFC RAFO – 103 Squadron – 1944 / 45 - 39687
John Ramsey St John was born in 1917. He is the son of Frank St John and Doris Lightfoot. Like his brother, Anthony Garwyth St John, John served in the RAF during WW2. A dental technician in civilian life, he gave his next of kin as Mr F.F. St John (father) of 119 Tinakori Road, Wellington. He attended Nelson College and trained for his pilot's licence at Marlborough Aero Club and was then accepted for a short service commission in the RAF and left for the UK in 1936.
His pre war Air Force career is unknown. He married Patricia nee Whiting in 1941. He is shown as flying 3 tours and his second was certainly with 101 Squadron at RAF Ludford Magna where he was awarded a DFC. See citation below.
St John was posted to 103 Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds on the 12 May 1944 from 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit as OC.
He flew his first operation with his new squadron as Second Dickie / co pilot in the crew of F/L W H Way RCAF on the 2 / 3 June 1944 to Calais in Lancaster ND990. My uncle Sgt J E Jennings was Flight Engineer in this crew.
He then flew the following operations with a variety of available aircrew as he never had his own crew.
14-Jun-44 - Le Havre - Naval forces - Lancaster - ME674 – W/C JR St John
05-Aug-44 - Blaye - Oil - Lancaster - LM272 – W/C JR St John - Base closed due to low cloud. Diverted to Ossington.
20-Sep-44 - Sangatte - Army support - Lancaster - PD272 – W/C JR St John
25-Sep-44 - Calais - Army support - Lancaster - PB465 – W/C JR St John – Aborted - Abandoned on Master Bomber's orders.
03-Oct-44 - Westkapelle - Army support - Lancaster - PD272 – W/C JR St John
25-Oct-44 - Essen - Point of Aim - Lancaster - NF909 – W/C JR St John.
On the 8 January 1945 he was posted to the RAF Staff College
His career beyond that is unknown although he remained in the RAF post war reverting to S/L and was mentioned in dispatches S/L 10 March 1950 MID for his work in Malaya.
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Citations
DFC
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross gazetted 20 July 1943 Squadron Leader John Ramsey ST. • JOHN (39687), No. 101 Squadron.
One night in June, 1943, this officer piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Mulheim. During the flight the bomber was attacked by 2 hostile aircraft and repeatedly hit. Displaying superb airmanship Squadron Leader St. John succeeded in evading the attackers. Although one engine was unserviceable, a rudder missing, the starboard elevator damaged and the elevator controls jammed, course was set for this country. In the face of great odds, Squadron Leader St. John flew the aircraft to base and landed it safely. This officer displayed outstanding skill, courage and tenacity
DSO
He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Order gazetted 1 May 1945
This officer has completed three tours of operational duty. His record is one of gallant and distinguished service. He has commanded the squadron for almost a year. By his skilful leadership, exceptional ability and unswerving devotion to duty, Wing Commander St. John has contributed in good measure to the successes obtained
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Anthony Garwyth St John
His brother Anthony was lost while flying with a 627 Squadron Mosquito on the 30 October 1944 when his aircraft caught fire and he and his navigator were forced to bale out over the North Sea due to the explosion of a target indicator in the bomb bay. His remains were washed ashore and he is buried at the New Communal Cemetery at Ostend.
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I shall be most interested to know more about John if anyone can provide any info.
Compiled by David Fell with newspaper photo from the Auckland Memorial website.
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