In Memory Of

PENROSE, GEORGE WILLIAM

Service Details
Age:
30
Date of Birth:
-0001-11-30
Service No:
80423
Rank:
Flying Officer
Unit:
156 Sqdn.
Regiment:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of Death:
1944-01-14
Cause of Death:
Killed in action, Lancaster ND357, target Brunswick, Germany, shot down (12th victory) by Oberleutnant Dietrich Schmidt (10./NJG1), flying a Messerschmitt Bf. 110G-4
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
Coll. grave 29. B. 2.
Cemetery:
BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY
Country:
Netherlands
Additional Information
Decorations:
D F C
Citations:
LG Sup 3 November 1942 pg. 4754 - "As rear gunner and wireless operator/air gunner respectively Pilot Officers Penrose and Wheeler have participated in numerous bombing sorties. In August, 1942, during a sortie against Kassel, both displayed high devotion to duty in difficult circumstances. The following night, they were members of the crew of an aircraft which attacked Saarbrucken. On the return flight, the aircraft was intercepted by an enemy fighter. In a series of 15 attacks, the bomber sustained severe damage. A shell which burst in the rear turret exploded some ammunition and eventually rendered the turret unserviceable. In spite of this, Pilot Officer Penrose used his guns effectively and his fire eventually set one of the attacker's engines alight, causing it to break off the combat. Meanwhile, Pilot Officer Wheeler who had been wounded in both hands by shrapnel, continued his duties of fire control without mentioning his injuries. He afterwards rendered first aid to a wounded comrade. In the face of most trying circumstances both Pilot Officers Penrose and Wheeler displayed great courage and devotion to duty."
Son of H. S. Penrose, and of Lilian Penrose, of Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia.