LEST WE FORGET
Wing Commander John Mervyn LANDER DFC
From Australia serving in the Royal Air Force
Service No: 89078 (RAF)
Born: 1916, Melbourne VIC
Enlisted in the RAF: Date unavailable
Unit: No. 22 Squadron (RAF)
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Died: Ground Accident, India, 20 January 1945, Aged 28 Years
Buried: Chittagong War Cemetery, Bangladesh
CWGC Additional Information: Son of George Herbert and Frances Gertrude Lander, of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Roll of Honour: Unknown
DFC Citation (No. 22 Squadron (RAF)): In April 1942, this officer lea a formation of 8 aircraft in an attack on a defended Italian convoy in the Mediterranean. The convoy was escorted by large numbers of enemy aircraft. Despite this, the attack was pressed home with great determination and many explosions were observed amongst the ships before the attack was broken off. On the return journey, Flight Lieutenant Lander’s aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters. His aircraft was extensively damaged by the attacker’s fire but, by skilful tactics, Flight Lieutenant Lander eventually evaded the enemy and made a safe landing. (Citation dated 7 July 1942)
Wing Commander Lander was killed in a vehicle accident on the Chittagong Road on 20 January 1945.
References:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/24/675