Chalmers, George Alexander
- Date of birth:
- February 12th, 1921 (Peterhead/Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom)
- Date of death:
- August 2002
- Service number:
- 552201 (NCO)/52692 (Officer)
- Nationality:
- British (1801-present, Kingdom)
Biography
After Boy's Service in the RAF George Chalmers qualified as a wireless operator and air-gunner, and was posted to No. 10 Sqn. He took part in leaflet-dropping operations over Germany after the outbreak of war.
In August 1940 Chalmers transferred to 7 Sqn., followed by no. 35 Sqn and subsequenrly no. 617 Sqn with which Chalmers and took part in the famous attack on the Dams (Operation Chastise).
Being commissioned he continued to fly with 617 Squadron and was granted an extended service commission in 1946, completing "Operation Guzzle" to dispose of the Dambusters’ Bombs into the Atlantic. He served in 617 and 12 Squadrons until 1950, when he was posted to 38 Sqn., a Lancaster squadron in the Middle East. He was released as a Flight Lieutenant in 1954, and served in the Reserve until 1961. Meanwhile, he had joined the civil service at Harrogate, where he worked for the Ministry of Defence dealing with the R.A.F.'s technical requirements. In this period his advice was much valued in the sphere of flight refuelling. On his retirement from the M.O.D. in 1984, the company Flight Refuelling hosted a farewell party for him at which he was hailed as an 'expert in specialised spares procurement', especially in relation to a refuelling system of outstanding value used by the R.A.F. in the Falklands conflict.
Promotions:
? Sergeant
? Flight Sergeant
27 June, 1943: Pilot Officer on Probation
27 December 1943: Flying Officer (on probation war sub)
26 June, 1945: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
26 December, 1946: Flight Lieutenant
12 August, 1954: retirement
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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flying Officer
- Unit:
- No. 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- August 13th, 1944
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flight Sergeant
- Unit:
- No. 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- May 28th, 1943
"Flight Sergeant Chalmers has flown on operations since Spetember 1939. At all times he has displayed a great sense of duty and courage of a very high order. On 16th May 1943, he flew as Wireless Operator in Flight Sergeant Townsend's crew and was of great value in assisting his captain in making a successful attack on the Ennerpe Dam. As one of the most experienced Wireless Operators in No. 617 Squadron, Sergeant Chalmers has set a magnificent example to the other Wireless Operators. I strongly recommend that his good work be recognised by the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Sergeant
- Awarded on:
- January 1st, 1941
Sources
- - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35029/supplement/38
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36030/supplement/2362
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36161/page/3973
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36307/supplement/5658
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36745/supplement/4692
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37186/supplement/3773
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37857/supplement/396
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40266/supplement/5010
- War & Son
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