French, Dereck Jack

Date of birth:: December 16th, 1915
Date of death:: June 18th, 2008
Service number:: 36129
Nationality:: Australian (1901-present, Federal Monarchy)

Biography

Jack French was the first Australian airman to be decorated for valour in World War II.

Promotions:
10th September 1939: Flying Officer;
10th September 1940: Flight Lieutenant;
1st December 1941: temporary Squadron Leader;
9th February 1943: Squadron Leader (war subs.).

Career:
4th June 1943: Transfer to the Royal Australian Air Force.

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flying Officer
Unit:: No. 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: April 19th, 1940

Citation:
"Flying Officer French successfully attacked, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, a German cruiser in the Bergen roadstead, enabling his navigator and bomb aimer, Pilot Officer Mulloy, to secure a direct hit on the cruiser. This operation necessitated more than 1,000 miles flying over the sea."

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Squadron Leader
Unit:: No. 455 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force
Awarded on:: June 26th, 1942

Awarded for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air
operations.

Second DFC received in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the first DFC.

Sources

- The London Gazette of 14th November 1939, Issue 34733
- The London Gazette of 19th April 1940, Issue 34833
- The London Gazette of 22nd October 1940, Issue 34833
- The London Gazette of 16th December 1941, Issue 35383
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 23rd June 1942, Issue 35609, dated 26th June 1942
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 1st June 1943, Issue 36041, dated 4th June 1943
- Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 16th July 1943, Issue 36100, dated 20th Juny 1943
- Australian war Memorial
- Australian Breaking News Headlines & World News Online | SMH.com.au