SHERK Raymond John Frederick (F/O) RCAF n° R70456 (NCO) J15237 (Officier)

 

Mentioned in Dispatches
Annonce parue dans le London Gazette le 14 juin 1945

During the last two years this officer has shown continuous determination and devotion to duty. After participating in the destruction of an enemy aircraft in the Quattara Depression on 29 September 1942, he crash landed 30 miles inside enemy territory. He was captured after walking to within a mile of the British lines. He remained a prisoner in enemy hands for almost a year during which time he made several unsuccessful attempts to escape. On one occasion after being at large for four days he was recaptured by the Germans but by a subtle ruse escaped again the same day and finally reached the 1st Canadian Division on 26 October 1943.

He came to No.401 Squadron in February 1944 and has taken part in over 70 operational trips. On 15 March 1944 while escorting Marauders over the Pas de Calais area his engine failed and he bailed out. Again showing fine determination he evaded capture and rejoined his squadron about a month later.

His record of fine determination and courage is a grand example to others.

This was used with other documents to compose a slightly more detailed citation for Air Ministry Honours and Awards Committee (also in Air 2/8784):

During the last two years this officer has shown continuous determination and devotion to duty. After participating in the destruction of an enemy aircraft in the Quattara Depression on 29 September 1942, he made a crash landing 30 miles inside enemy territory. He was captured after walking to within a mile of the British lines. He was subsequently interrogated by the German authorities but managed to counter all their attempts to secure information from him which would be of value to them. He was in enemy hands for nearly a year and had made many unsuccessful attempts to escape. In September 1943 he was one of a party which secured permission from the German guard to rest in the shade of a nearby rock. Here, by leaving a cap on the rock as a decoy, he managed to escape with some other prisoners, several of whom were afterwards recaptured. Pilot Officer Sherk succeeded in eluding the searchers, and after hiding in a cave and in woods, ultimately was one of a party which reached the 1st Canadian Division on 26th October 1943. He joined No.401 Squadron in February 1944 and has taken part in 70 operational sorties. On 15th March 1944 whilst escorting bombers over the Pas de Calais, his engine failed and he was forced to abandon his aircraft. Again showing fine determination he succeeded in evading capture and rejoined his squadron about a month later.