Robert Henry James Gill
Warrant Officer · United Kingdom
- Born
- 1923
- Died
- 3 March 2020
- Fate
- Served and survived
Biography
Robert Henry James Gill (born 1923) was an air gunner in RAF Bomber Command, flying as both rear gunner and mid-upper gunner on Halifax and later Lancaster aircraft. After training at 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit at RAF Rufforth he served with No. 158 Squadron at RAF Lissett and then with the Pathfinder Force in No. 35 Squadron at RAF Graveley. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for his part in the bombing campaign against Berlin. Having completed the 45 operations required of a Pathfinder crew, he volunteered for three more; on his final sortie, on 23 June 1944, his aircraft was shot down near Dunkirk. He became a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 7, survived the forced “Long March” west in the closing months of the war, and lived until 3 March 2020, aged 96.
Timeline
- 1923 Born
- 3 March 2020 Died
Service
- Air Gunner, No. 158 Squadron based at RAF Lissett
- Air Gunner, No. 35 Squadron (Madras Presidency) based at RAF Graveley
Awards
-
Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM)
Awarded for his role in the bombing campaign against Berlin (No. 35 Squadron, Pathfinder Force).
Source: Air Gunner Bob Gill DFM — memoir and service record → · Gill family / Bob Gill