Flight Sergeant Duncan Gordon
National Archives catalogue reference - WO 208/3324/188
Name: 1821434 F/Sgt. Gordon, Duncan.
Unit: 61 Squadron, Bomber Command, R.A.F.
Captured: Calais, 24th September 1944.
Escaped: Calais, 25th September 1944.
Left: France, 29th September 1944.
Arrived: U.K., 29th September 1944.
Date of Birth: 22nd June 1924.
R.A.F. Service: Since 26th January 1943.
Peacetime Profession: Joiner.
Post in crew: Rear gunner.
Private Address: Farradale Terrace, Muir-of-Ord, Ross-shire.
Other members of crew:
F/O FREEMAN, D. (pilot) )
F/Sgt. COE, J. (navigator) ) Presumed killed.
F/Sgt. MORRIS, J.W. (bomb aimer) )
Sgt. HEASMAN, J. (wireless operator) )
F/Sgt. COOK, F.E. (engineer) (returned to U.K.)
F/Sgt. ROSHER, J. (mid upper gunner) (last seen in CALAIS hospital)
We left SKELLINGTHORPE on 24 Sep 44 at about 1650 hrs in a Lancaster aircraft to bomb CALAIS. We were shot down by Flak. The aircraft burst into flames, and we received orders to bale out. The aircraft crashed in the water about half a mile off-shore. I landed on the beach at about 1830 hrs. I did not see any others of the crew bale out. I was fired at by the Germans while coming down and received a flesh wound in my right leg. I was take P/W, but not searched. The Germans took me into the fortress, where I received first aid. At about 2200 hrs they brought in F/Sgt. ROSHER, who had a broken leg. We were then taken by ambulance to a hospital in CALAIS where the treatment and medical attention were good. Next day (25 Sep) the Germans brought in F/Sgt. COOK, who was badly burned on his face and arms.
At about 1100 hrs we were bombed by the R.A.F. There was a near hit, and the hospital was very badly shaken. We were thrown out of our beds, and I must have been lying on the floor unconscious for a short time. When I came to, I saw that part of the ceiling was down and that the windows were out. There was a lot of commotion throughout the whole hospital. I was alone in the room with ROSHER, COOK was in the room next door. I saw that I was unable to do very much for my two friends. I went through the window, slid down a drain pipe about 30 feet, and made my way to the gate of the hospital.
A French policeman who was standing there picked me up and carried me to a nearby cafe, where I received civilian clothing. I was asked if there were any other Allied personnel in the hospital and I said there were two more. The policeman went back and brought F/Sgt. COOK to the cafe. The Germans arrived at the cafe, and I had to be bundled out through the rear as quickly as possible. I do not know what happened to COOK, but I believe he was taken back to the hospital.
I was taken to several cafes after which I was moved to a civilian house, where I remained until 29 Sep. On 29 Sep during the truce in CALAIS I was taken to the square in the town and evacuated with the old and infirm to the Canadians. I was neither checked by the Canadians nor the Germans. I disclosed my identity to a Canadian officer and was driven at once to an airfield near ST OMER and flown back to the U.K. on 29 Sep 44.