Flt Lt J B Richardson DFC
Photo taken after the crash in 1944 he was a F/O by then
John Bruce Richardson was a Flight Engineer who completed 3 tours of Operations on Sunderland Flying Boats and then flew 310 sorties during the Berlin Airlift. His log books covering the period 12 October 1936 to 19 May 1958 record over 6,752 flying hours.
The announcement of the DFC appeared in the London Gazette on the 27th July 1945 while serving with 228 Squadron. Flt Richardson was a pre war RAF regular LAC Engineer, he took his first flight on the 12 October 1936 with 204 Squadron. He qualified as an Air Gunner and at the outbreak of WW2 was flying with 204 Squadron operating Sunderland Flying Boast with his first anti Submarine patrol taking place on the 8th September 1939. His log books record anit submarine patrols. convoy escorts, flights to Gibralter etc. During 1943 he re-mustered to a Flight Engineer and returned to operations with Coastal Command, Sunderlands. On the 31st January 1944 now serving with 228 Squadron he was detailed on an anti Submarine Patrol over the Western Approaches. Nearing the end of their patrol they received a message from their home base at Pembroke Docks that the weather had deteriorated and they should divert to Castle Archdale, the Sunderland had to take the River Erne Air Corridor over neutral Ireland, the aricraft was off course and after 14 hours in the air flew into the Blue Stack Mountains, of the 12 crew 7 were killed. Richardson returned to ops on the 20th June 1944. His last war flight was on the 10th May 1945 when on patrol they spotted and escorted a U Boat. Remaining with the RAF he converted to the Avro York and took part in 310 sorties during the Berlin Air lift, http://youtube.com/watch?v=lFH2OZD-TcU&feature=related (this is a video of the Berlin airlift) his logs show a regular cargo of potatoes and coal. Various operational postings followed and in early 1952 he joined the Armanent and Guided Weapons Flight at Farnbourough and took part in Guided Missile and NBC Tests. His last flights were with 24 Squadron during 1958.(Taken from Bosleys Auctioneers Catalogue when the Log books, medals and uniform were auctioned in 2007)
Apointment as an Officer of the RAF
Post War Commission
Award for taking part in the Berlin Airlift.
Minature set of his medals and ribbons
The above photos are Courtesy of his niece and god daughter Ann.
John Bruce "Tubby" Richardson was born in 1915 and came from a family of 5. His father was involved with the Devonport Naval Dockyard. One of his brothers was killed in the War and is buried in Holland, other family members also served in the Forces.
John died in April 1982 in Saltash, Devon.