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Roger Mills Roger Mills wrote on December 6, 2010
Further to my research into the career,with 408 (Goose) Squadron,of S/Ldr Ralph Van Den Bok,RAFVR, DFC and two bars,I have more information which may be of interest to squadron members. Van Den Bok served with 408 ,as a WAG,from the completion of his training until the end of 1942.His first DFC was awarded following an attack on the \"Sharnhorst\",and for devotion to duty (he passed up a 48 hour pass in order not to miss an Operation on Rostock !!).Later in 1942,he was awarded a Bar after evading capture after baling out over Belgium,and being repatriated with the aid of \"Nemo\" (son of Baron Greindl)and \"Cometline\".Sadly,W/C Twigg was killed in this attack(Van Den Bok flew with the C/O,being Squadron Gunnery Leader).He was then sent to RCAF Hagersville,Ontario,to be re-trained as a bomber pilot,and I have a very fine photo of F/Lt Van Den Bok,DFC and Bar,being presented with his wings at Hagersville at the age of THIRTY EIGHT !!!Quite an achievement,I would think ! He was then posted to 214 (100 Group) in Norfolk,flying B 17 F&G A/C,was promoted A/S/Ldr,and awarded a second Bar in 1945.He left the RAF in 1950 to work for Standard Oil (Esso),but sadly,was seriously injured and lost a leg in the Lewisham Train Disaster in London,1957.I am now in contact with his son Adrian,in Australia,who has kindly sent me much memorabilia,photos,press-clippings,letters,l og-book entries,etc,and a much better picture of Ralph Van Den Bok\'s unusual and distinguished RCAF / RAF service is now emerging.
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