For gallantry - Pilot Officer H R Madgett DFM

For gallantry - Pilot Officer H R Madgett DFM

Notice of award of Distinguished Flying Medal at the same time as reported missing. Some details of citation for medal.

1943-08-27

One newspaper cutting

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NMadgettHR190610-16

[insert] KENTISH TIMES
27th AUG 1943 [/insert]
FOR GALLANTRY
Pilot Officer H.R. Madgett, D.F.M.
Pilot Officer Hedley Robert Madgett, of 127 Longlands-Road, Sidcup, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, and is at the same time reported missing. His parents Mr. and Mrs. L. R. Madgett, received the telegram containing this news last week.
The official citation in connection with the award states that he has completed many successful sorties against strongly defended targets in Germany and Italy. On one occasion when detailed to attack Oberhausen, the bomb aimer, navigator and the flight-engineer lost consciousness owing to lack of oxygen, and Pilot Officer Madgett (then sergeant) completed the mission successfully.
On another occasion his aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire during an attack, but he continued, dropped the bombs, and secured a photograph of the target area. He has displayed outstanding courage, cheerfulness and determination on all his sorties, in the face of the heaviest fire.
Born at Hither Green, Pilot Officer Madgett is 20, and was educated at the Chislehurst-Sidcup county school. Before enlisting in 1940 he was employed as a clerk. He is keen on running.