COLE, FS Sydney Reginald (R179577) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.162 (BR) Squadron - Award effective 28 July 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1729/44 dated 11 August 1944. Born 19 April 1923 at Poradown, Northern Ireland. Home in Long Branch, Ontario where he was educated; worked for a tire company as seal painter, shipping clerk and then in a steel plant as a “nut tapper”. Enlisted Toronto, 6 July 1942. At No.1 Manning Depot, Malton, to 23 September 1942. To No.3 WS, 23 September 1942; promoted LAC on 28 October 1942; may have graduated 10 April 1943 but not posted to No.8 BGS until 16 April 1943; graduated 31 May 1943 and promoted Sergeant. To “Y” Depot, Halifax, 15 June 1943; to Eastern Air Command, 17 June 1943; to No.160 (BR) Squadron, 6 July 1943; to No.162 (BR) Squadron, Iceland, 27 April 1944; promoted WO2, 28 August 1944; to No.501 RHU, Halifax, 25 October 1944; to No.1 AOS, Malton, 8 December 1944; commissioned 24 January 1945; to Release Centre, 30 April 1945; released 8 June 1945 and became a police officer. Rejoined RCAF Auxiliary, 10 October 1951 with No.2400 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, Toronto; released 5 June 1953. Died in Mississauga, Ontario, 21 November 1991. Cited with F/O B.C. Denomy (DSO), F/Os Graham Campbell and Sidney E. Matheson (DFCs) and Flight Sergeants Israel J. Bodnoff (DFM). See Bodnoff, above, for citation. Award presented 18 October 1947. Applied for Operational Wings while at No.1 AOS, January 1945; application denied 31 January 1945 when S/L R.M. Aldwinckle wrote (memo to AMP/RO), “Since this airman received the DFM for his part in Hornell’s attack, his having spent 21 hours in the water doesn’t enter into the picture. Since he has only 460 hours during only seven months of flying - mostly with 160 Squadron - he is NOT considered eligible". NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/9158 has recommendation raised 1 July 1944 by the Officer Commanding, RAF Station Wick. It noted that Cole had flown approximately 30 sorties (350 operational hours): This Non-Commissioned Officer was the 3rd Wireless Operator in Canso "P" of 162 Squadron on the 24th June 1944. and was manning the Wireless Telephone set During the run in to attack a U-Boat in the face of accurate and intense anti-aircraft fire, the aircraft was being repeatedly hit and the starboard engine out of action and on fire. He cooly and courageously continued sending a sighting report until he was wounded by shrapnel and stunned momentarily, when the Wireless Telephone set was manned by the 1st Wireless Operator. After the U-Boat had been sunk the aircraft was forced to ditch due to fire and the starboard engine falling out. This Non-Commissioned Officer then searched the aircraft, which was full of fumes and smoke, for a dinghy which had without his knowledge been launched. He collected a tin of water and rations at a time when the petrol tanks were in danger of exploding, and even when in the dinghy leaving the aircraft, had to be restrained by the others from going back to get the dinghy radio which had been left behind. During the 21 hours spent in the water he did all in his power to assist the others and as a result of his efforts the Navigator's life was saved, in spite of the fact that he was suffering from shrapnel wounds received during the attack. It is considered that this Non-Commissioned Officer showed great devotion to duty and exceptional courage and is most strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal. To this the Air Officer Commanding, No.18 Group, added (2 July 1944): Throughout the gallant and successful attack by this aircraft on a U-Boat, Flight Sergeant Cole behaved in an exemplary manner, continuing to send out sighting reports until he was wounded and thrown from his position by the wireless set. Strongly recommended for immediate award. His application for Operational Wings (17 January 1945) lists 43 sorties with No.160 (BR) Squadron, 9 August 1943 to 8 April 1944 and the following sorties with No.162 (BR) Squadron: 2 June 1944 (8.15) 2 June 1944 (1.40) 3 June 1944 (15.40) 5 June 1944 (14.00) 10 June 1944 (10.30) 12 June 1944 (8.50) 18 June 1944 (8.10) 20 June 1944 (12.45) 23 June 1944 (12.15) 24 June 1944 (12.00) 4 July 1944 (6.45) Total of 54 sorties (460 hours). His longest sorties with No.160 Squadron were on 22 February 1944 (13.05), 24 March 1944 (13.50) and 8 April 1944 (13.15).