QUESNEL, Sergeant Joseph Herve Leonel (R136383) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.432 Squadron - Award effective 8 January 1944 as per London Gazette dated 25 January 1944 and AFRO 410/44 dated 25 February 1944.Born in Parry Sound, Ontario, 1922; home in Reading, Berkshire (lathe operator); enlisted in Toronto, 27 October 1941).Trained at No.7 BGS (graduated 2 January 1942).Award sent by registered mail, 22 November 1950.
As rear gunner Sergeant Quesnel has taken part in several sorties and has proved himself to be a cool and reliable member of aircraft crew. During a sortie one night in December 1943, his aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters.In the engagement Sergeant Quesnel fought with great resolution and destroyed one of the attackers.On another occasion in November 1943, his aircraft was attacked three times by enemy fighters.His turret was rendered unserviceable he coolly directed his pilot's combat manoeuvres and the attacker was evaded.This airman has set a very fine example.
You may want to credit http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/planes/ryedale/ll632.html for the information you do have.
-- Edited by alieneyes on Tuesday 4th of September 2012 08:51:11 AM
-- Edited by alieneyes on Tuesday 4th of September 2012 08:53:13 AM
-- Edited by alieneyes on Tuesday 4th of September 2012 08:55:32 AM
I am looking for any information regarding my grandfather Sgt Joseph Herve Leon Quesnel RCAF (R/136383).
On 26th November 1943 the Lancaster LL632 that he was rear gunner on left East Moor around tea-time for Ops to Berlin. Whilst over the target the aircraft was attacked by a night-fighter which inflicted severe damage, and rendering the rear turret out of action. They avoided further action and returned safely to East Moor. Whilst their exact take off time and landing time is not known 432 Squadron set out between 16.30hrs and 18.00hrs, bombing the target between 20.30hrs and 22.00hrs.
Pilot - Sgt Peter Woodrow Dennis RCAF (R/14066), of Fort William, Ontario, Canada.
Navigator - Sgt Gordon Atkins RCAF, aged 22, of La Riviere, Manitoba, Canada.
Bomb Aimer - P/O John Francis O'Gorman RCAF (J/26089), of Perth, Ontario, Canada.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Peter Billie Woolfenden RAF (1318244), of London.
Flight Engineer - Sgt W H Kent RAFVR.
Mid Upper Gunner - Sgt W Piding.
Rear Gunner - Sgt Joseph Herve Leon Quesnel RCAF (R/136383). Born Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada. Living in Reading, Berkshire, England.
He was awarded a DFM as a consequence of his actions.
I have very little knowledge of him as a man and no photos at all so wld love to find out more if anyone knows or is related to those who flew with him
I thought I would say hi. I found this while looking for information on my own grandfather - Gordon Atkins who was the navigator on crew with your grandfather.
after browsing the ww2 images site, I came across this photo of a Flt Sgt Gordon Atkinson, a navigator believed to be of 432 Sqn talking to the station commander after a raid against Berlin on the 27th November 1943 ... East Moor.
Although the text has this as Atkinson and not Atkins, I wondered if this was your grandfather?
Quesnel.... I am the eldest grandson of Gordon Atkins who was the navigator on your grandfathers flight crew. He is also the man listed on the website your quoted in this message.
When my grandparents had both passed, they left to me some of the war material they had kept. I now have an RCAF magazine called The Roundel (Vol. 8, No. 7, Sept 1956) which featured action from the Leaside squadron. In there is a picture of both my grandfather and your grandfather.
MikeH....the picture you added to the threads here is the same as the one in this magazine....and it is Atkins.
