The signatories
Flight Lieutenant Freddie Ball
Sent out to Burma in 1943 and originally flying Hawker Hurricanes
in the ground attack role, Freddie flew throughout 1944 and 1945,
finally converting to Republic P47 Thunderbolts in June 1945.
In September 1945, after parachuting into Java while on loan
to Force 136 (SOE Burma), he was to win the Military Cross where
his actions saved countless lives during the state of anarchy
there following the surrender of the Japanese forces on the island.
His citation concluded “Throughout the long and dangerous
period Flight Lieutenant Ball continually carried his life in
his hands and his performance of his duties was an inspiration
to all.”
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Flight Lieutenant Ray Jackson
Spending all his flying career with 34 Squadron, Ray was
posted out to India and the Burma Front in 1943. Originally flying
Hurricane IIc’s he was forced to bail out over the dense
Burmese jungle in 1944. He was to win his Military Cross for
his successful evasion of the enemy through the Japanese controlled
jungle, and made his way back to the Allied lines. Recovering,
Ray was then grounded for a while but used his first-hand experiences
to lecture at the RAF “jungle survival” school.
Back at 34 Squadron in 1945, he converted to P47 Thunderbolts
and again flew in combat in ground attack sorties to support
the advance of the Army.
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LAC1 Ben Evans
Ben Evans spent Christmas Day 1943 on a ship, not knowing
where he was going. He subsequently found out when the ship finally
docked in India in January 1944. Ben was posted to join 146 Squadron
and initially worked on Hurricanes, and then 146 Squadron became
one of the first Squadrons in the Far East to be equipped with
the P47 Thunderbolt in March 1944.
Ben worked as a fitter on Thunderbolts, and was to see out the
war against the Japanese right up to September 1945.
He saw action on the Imphal Plain, through Burma and, to complete
his posting, spent Christmas 1945 in Rangoon.
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