DFC for Dunfermline Airman
Title
DFC for Dunfermline Airman
Description
The award of the DFC to WF Martin, recorded in a local paper.
Language
Type
Format
One newspaper cutting
Publisher
Rights
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
Identifier
NMartinWF191020-06
Transcription
D.F.C. FOR DUNFERMLINE AIRMAN.
FLYING OFFICER WM. F. MARTIN
Flying Officer William Fisher Martin, R.A.F.V.R., whose home is at Dunfermline, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.
The citation states: - “This officer has participated in many operational sorties against a variety of targets. He has proved himself a most efficient navigator, and has always displayed outstanding courage and determination throughout his operational tour. His fine technical skill has largely contributed to the success of many missions. In April 1944 his aircraft was detailed to attack Schweinfurt. On the outward flight it was attacked and damaged by an enemy fighter. The rear gunner was wounded, and the inter-communication system and the elevator were damaged, both turrets also being rendered unserviceable.
“Flying Officer Martin calmly navigated the damaged aircraft to the target, which was bombed, and safely back to this country, where a successful landing was accomplished. Again, in June 1944, during an attack on a target in Western Germany, his aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire and the petrol tank was holed. On the return flight, owing to lack of fuel, the bomber was forced down on to the sea. After fifteen hours in the dinghy, the crew were rescued. Despite slight head injuries, Flying Officer Martin’s cool courage and cheerfulness were a source of inspiration to the rest of the crew.”
Flying Officer Martin, who was born in 1914, was commissioned last year after service in the ranks.
Flying Officer Martin’s wife, who resides at North Fod Farm, Dunfermline, is a daughter of the late Mr Alex. Aitken, Woodmill Dairy, Dunfermline. His mother’s home is at St Lawrence Street, Brucefield. Before enlisting in the R.A.F. in 1942, Flying Officer Martin was employed at Fife Silk Mills as a tenter. He was an original member of No. 1145 (Dunfermline) Squadron of the A.T.C., in which he received his pre-Service training. He was an outstanding cadet in that unit.
FLYING OFFICER WM. F. MARTIN
Flying Officer William Fisher Martin, R.A.F.V.R., whose home is at Dunfermline, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.
The citation states: - “This officer has participated in many operational sorties against a variety of targets. He has proved himself a most efficient navigator, and has always displayed outstanding courage and determination throughout his operational tour. His fine technical skill has largely contributed to the success of many missions. In April 1944 his aircraft was detailed to attack Schweinfurt. On the outward flight it was attacked and damaged by an enemy fighter. The rear gunner was wounded, and the inter-communication system and the elevator were damaged, both turrets also being rendered unserviceable.
“Flying Officer Martin calmly navigated the damaged aircraft to the target, which was bombed, and safely back to this country, where a successful landing was accomplished. Again, in June 1944, during an attack on a target in Western Germany, his aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire and the petrol tank was holed. On the return flight, owing to lack of fuel, the bomber was forced down on to the sea. After fifteen hours in the dinghy, the crew were rescued. Despite slight head injuries, Flying Officer Martin’s cool courage and cheerfulness were a source of inspiration to the rest of the crew.”
Flying Officer Martin, who was born in 1914, was commissioned last year after service in the ranks.
Flying Officer Martin’s wife, who resides at North Fod Farm, Dunfermline, is a daughter of the late Mr Alex. Aitken, Woodmill Dairy, Dunfermline. His mother’s home is at St Lawrence Street, Brucefield. Before enlisting in the R.A.F. in 1942, Flying Officer Martin was employed at Fife Silk Mills as a tenter. He was an original member of No. 1145 (Dunfermline) Squadron of the A.T.C., in which he received his pre-Service training. He was an outstanding cadet in that unit.
Collection
Citation
“DFC for Dunfermline Airman,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed July 19, 2026, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/collections/document/43802.