The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. M V Goodman

Maurice Venning Goodman was born at Hendon on 13th April 1920 and educated at Kings School, Colindale. He worked at GEC in the radio and television field and in 1939 he joined 604 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force at Hendon as an Aircrafthand.

Called up at the outbreak of war, Goodman remustered as an Airman u/t Air Gunner and was posted to 4 B&GS West Freugh on 3rd December 1939 for an air gunnery course. He qualified on 11th January 1940 and on the 16th he rejoined 604 Squadron, then at Northolt.

After serving with the squadron throughout the Battle of Britain Goodman was posted away on 13th June 1941 to 109 Squadron, engaged in special operations and operating from Boscombe Down.

On 26th March 1942, on a trip to Essen, Goodman severely damaged a Me110 when two night fighters attacked his aircraft.

He was posted away to 1474 Flight at Gransden Lodge on 13th July 1942, still on special operations.

Commissioned in October 1942, he went to CGS Sutton Bridge for a course on 29th December. He then joined 192 Squadron at Gransden on 19th February 1943.

Goodman flew to Blida in North Africa, via Gibraltar, on 28th April with a detachment of 192. He flew on special duty operations to Tunisia, Sardinia, Corsica and Sicily. The detachment flew back to the UK on 5th September 1943.

With his third tour completed, Goodman became an instructor.

He was awarded the DFC (gazetted 12th November 1943), having taken part in many successful operations. On 6th August 1944 he went to CGS Catfoss for a Gunnery Leaders course, this ended on 10th September.

After this Goodman was posted to the Courier Service, which was the war-time equivalent of the Kings Messenger Service.

Goodman was released from the RAF on 2nd February 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant.

He died on 8th January 1988.