Shannon, David John
- Date of birth:
- May 27th, 1922 (St. Umley Park/South Australia, Australia)
- Date of death:
- April 8th, 1993 (Sydenham/London, United Kingdom)
- Buried on:
- Commonwealth War Graves St Michael Churchyard
- Service number:
- 407729
- Nationality:
- Australian (1901-present, Federal Monarchy)
Biography
David Shannon was the son of an Australian farmer and MP. After leaving school he worked in insurance before joining the Royal Australian Air Force in 1941. He then came to Britain where he joined Guy Gibson's 106 squadron as his first operational posting. When Gibson left 106 to form No. 617 Squadron, Shannon followed him. Here he met a WAAF, Ann whom he married. Ann later died of cancer and het ashes were interred at the Clifton Hampden cemetery (the ashes of David Jonh Shannon wer later interred next to her).
After the succesful raid om the Möhne and Eder Dam, Gibson was rested from operations, but for Shannon it was the beginning of a long association with 617. Under Gibson's successors: George Holden, Micky Martin and finally Leonard Cheshire the squadron continued its specialist role throughout the war and Shannon would be regarded as one of the pilots who were its backbone. He received the second of his two Distinguished Flying Crosses for an attack on the Dortmund–Ems Canal, and another DSO for an attack on Munich in April 1944. Not long after he left No. 617 Squadron, having completed 69 operations, he chose to drop rank to resume operational flying in Transport Command.
After the war Shannon remained in Britain, he worked in oil in Colombia and Kenya and farmed in Suffolk.
He died only a few weeks before a reunion he had been working on for the 50th anniversary of the Dam Busters raid.
Promotions:
September 22nd, 1941: Pilot Officer
March 23th, 1942: Flying Officer
September 23th, 1943: Flight Lieutenant
January 1st, 1945: Squadron Leader
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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flying Officer
- Unit:
- No. 106 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- January 12th, 1943
"This officer has taken part in a large number of attacks on industrial targets in enemy territory and has invariably displayed the utmost courage and determination, especally in long-range daylight raids."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Flight Lieutenant
- Unit:
- No. 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- May 28th, 1943
- Awarded for:
- Operation Chastise
"On the night of 16th May, 1943, a force of Lancaster bombers was detailed to attack the Moehne, Eder and Sorpe dams in Germany. The operation was one of great difficulty and hazard, demanding a high degree of skill and courage and close co-operation between the crews of the aircraft engaged. Nevertheless, a telling blow was struck at the enemy by the successful breaching of the Mohne and Eder dams. This outstanding success reflects the greatest credit on the efforts of the following personnel who participated in the operation in various capacities as members of aircraft crew."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flight Lieutenant
- Unit:
- No. 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- November 12th, 1943
"Fit. Lt. Shannon was recently detailed to complete a low-level operation.
The weather in the target area was exceptionally bad and as a result he was unable lo avoid flying though light anti-aircraft defences. In spite of this, he spent 40 minutes in the area and eventually located his objective and attacked it, though adverse weather had made bombing most difficult."
Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Squadron Leader
- Unit:
- No. 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- September 26th, 1944
"Since the award of a bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Squadron Leader Shannon has completed many sorties which he has executed with outstanding resolution and success. He has at all times displayed courage and fortitude of a high order and his appreciation of the responsibilities entrusted to him have set a fine example to all."
Second DSO awarded as abar for on the ribbon of the first DSO.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Service Medal 1939-1945
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1:
- Photo 2: Alun Nevett
- Photo: Australian War Memorial
- - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35858 published on the 8 January 1943
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36030 published on the 25 May 1943
- Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36718 published on the 22 September 1944
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36245 published on the 9 November 1943
- Australian War Memorial
- Imperial War Museum - Collections
- Breaking the Dams
- Dambusters.org.uk
- Flight Global - Archive
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