John William "Junior" Cumbers

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CUMBERS, FS (now P/O) John William (R210110/J88456) - DFM - No.424 Squadron
Award effective 5 September 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and
AFRO 2637/44 dated 8 December 1944.

Flight Sergeant Cumbers is a most resolute and gallant air gunner. He has taken part in very many sorties and has played a worthy part in the successes obtained. On a recent occasion, when returning from an operation against Villeneuve-St. Georges, his aircraft was attacked by a fighter. As the attacker closed in, Flight Sergeant Cumbers delivered a burst of fire which struck the enemy aircraft, setting it on fire. His coolness and determination were characteristic of that which he has shown throughout his tour of operational duty.

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Ed Snider & John Cumbers

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HONORS GIVEN 11 RCAF MEN FOR GALLANTRY

Ottawa, Sept. 5, 1944 — (CF) — Air Force Headquarters announced tonight the award of 1 Distinguished Service Order, 1 Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, 6 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 3 Distinguished Flying Medals to members of the RCAF Overseas. The recipients:

DSO
S/L H. W. McLeod, DFC and Bar, Regina

BAR TO THE DFC
S/L I. F. Kennedy, DFC, Cumberland, Ont.

DFC
F/L J. M. G. Plamandon, Ste. Michel, Que.
F/L L. R. Brochu, Ste Marie de Beauce, Que.
F/L R. K. Hayward, St, John's, Nfld.
F/L R. W. Orr of 206 Livingstone Ave, Toronto
F/O W. T. Klersy of 14 Harcroft rd., Toronto
F/O H. J. Powell, Frankford, Ont.

DFM
F/S J. W. Cumbers, Winnipeg
F/S E. A. Snider, Haliburton, Ont.
Sgt. W. R. Williams, Winnipeg

McLeod, who has distinguished himself as one of Canada's top-scoring fighter pilots with 17 enemy aircraft to his credit, was awarded the DSO for his continued display of the "highest standard of courage and resolution as an exceptional leader and relentless fighter."
Kennedy received the Bar to the DFC for his example of "Keenness and resolution." He has 11 enemy aircraft to his credit.

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Victories Include:

1 / 0 / 0

Both shared with Ed Snider

Combat of note: 4/5 July 1944, target Villeneuve-St. George, aircraft met fighters five times and two attacks developed - at 0040 hours a Bf.109 attacked from behind and slightly to left; opened fire at 200 yards, breaking away at 150 yards; both gunners fired and '109 seen going down on fire; at 0136 a FW.190 seen trying to sneak up; shot down burning and exploded on the ground.

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Article at the RCMP website

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