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The Airmen's Stories - AC1 B Cannon

 

Bernard Cannon was born in Bolton in 1915 and joined the RAF in June 1940 as an Aircrafthand. He volunteered for flying duties and at the end of the month he was sent to RAF Yatesbury for an airborne radar course.

On 20th July he was posted to 604 Squadron at Gravesend, still having never flown in an aircraft. Cannon was one of those airmen who flew operationally without rank or flying badge, receiving three shillings per day which included one shilling flying pay.

 

 

When other radar operators were posted away as surplus in December 1940, Cannon was crewed with the CO, S/Ldr. MF Anderson, and was kept on.


In March 1941 Cannon was teamed up with F/O KI Geddes. During the night of the 12th/13th they shot down a Ju88 engaged in a raid on Portsmouth, on the 14th/15th a He111 was destroyed and on the 16th/17th they damaged a He111.


In the early hours of 5th June 1941 Cannon and Geddes shot down another He111 into the sea off Ventnor, Isle of Wight. Soon after midnight on the 15th another He111 was destroyed. The teams final victory came during the night of 8th/9th July 1941 when a Ju88 was shot down over Dorset.

Cannon was awarded the DFM (gazetted 24th June 1941).

His subsequent service is currently undocumented until 1945, when he was released from the RAF as a Warrant Officer. Cannon died on 17th September 1983.

 


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