LEST WE FORGET
Pilot Officer Gordon Russell TWEEDALE DFM
Service No: 404269
Born: Brisbane QLD, 18 April 1918
Enlisted in the RAAF: 19 July 1940
Unit: No. 185 Squadron (RAF)
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM), 29 December 1942
Died: Air Operations: Malta, 9 May 1942, Aged 24 Years
Buried: Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery, Malta
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Edward Wellington and Isa Tweedale, of Clayfield, Queensland, Australia
Roll of Honour: Brisbane QLD
Remembered: Panel 131, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
DFM Citation: “This airman has always shown courage and a desire to engage the enemy. On one occasion, he pursued a JU88 to within 10 miles of the Sicilain coast and shot it down, thereafter having to fend off attacking aircraft when completely out of ammunition. On another occasion, he destroyed a JU87 over Calafrana Bay. In spite of intense fighter opposition, his offensive spirit has an all occasions been outstanding.” (London Gazette 29 December 1942)
At 1315 hours on 9 May 1942, 11 Spitfires from No. 126 Squadron, 8 Spitfires from No. 249 Squadron and 5 Spitfires from No. 185 Squadron were scrambled to intercept enemy aircraft. During the ensuing battle, Pilot Officer Tweedale crashed at Luqa and was killed.
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 163/169/87