Rear gunner in Lancaster bombers
The contributor's father, Alfred George McCoy (1924-2010) was called "Ginger" because of his hair. Alfred was born 31 December 1924, died May 2010.
Alfred served in the RAF, as a rear gunner in Lancaster bombers. He joined up to become an air gunner in 1943 when he came of suitable age, 19 years old. Once, the pilot of his original crew had appendicitis. The replacement pilot didn't need Alfred because he came with his own rear gunner. Alfred transferred to an Australian crew of another Lancaster. When he joined them the Royal Australian Air Force crew gave Alfred a sheepskin flying waistcoat. The name of this Lancaster was P0-W nicknamed"Weary Willie!" in the 467 Squadron #467. In the illustration of "Weary Willie!" the crew is named: Squadron 467, Plane P0-W:
Lancaster DV277 WEARY WILLIE 467 Squadron RAAF
F/O S.C. CAREY PILOT;
SGT C.G.MORRISON F/ENGINEER;
F/SGT G.E.FISHER BOMB/AIMER;
F/SGT L.E.FORMBY NAVIGATOR;
F/SGT W.H.BRAUN WOP/AG;
F/O L. ANCHEN MID UPPER GUNNER;
SGT A.G.McCOY REAR GUNNER.
On 29 August 1944 his Lancaster was on the same mission as his original plane. They were bombing factories in Eastern Prussia. 189 bombers were on the mission, from Squadrons each made up of about 23 planes. 15 bombers were lost (including Alfred's original crew) so it was fortunate that he had switched to a different crew since they ended up being shot down. Otherwise, the contributor wouldn't be here. The mission log reads "Koenigsburg, supply depo. (East Prussia)... Very successful attack at extreme range. Round trip 1,900 miles. Bombing delayed 20 minutes cloudy conditions delayed marking. Part of the original crew lost here (Popey B/A, Joe George Nav, Alf Greaves W/O)".
Alfred completed a tour of 32 missions, over western Europe to France, Germany, Eastern Prussia, during 3 months June-September 1944. The life expectancy of a rear gunner was very short due to the vulnerability of the position.
After September 1944 Alfred trained others to do parachute jumps. There was less emphasis on bombing due to Germany's retreating and new recruits needed training.
After the War ended Alfred returned to civilian life; resumed his former job which they had kept open for him (in engineering).
History
Item list and details
2 crew photographs taken at their base in RAF Waddington, 1944. In the photo taken in front of the plane Alfred is top row, second from right. In the close up Alfred is bottom row second from right. RAF Air Gunner's Flying Log Book details of his dates, locations, training, missions. Illustration of plane with crew names: Squadron 467, Plane P0-W, "Weary Willie!" Map indicating locations of the crew's missions across Western Europe. Including the blue which marks where Alfred's original crew were shot down. The transcript of Alfred's mission log includes #24 (with pink note) which marks when Alfred's original crew were shot down. Sheepskin flying waistcoat given to Alfred by the Australian crew when he joined them.Person the story/items relate to
Alfred George McCoyPerson who shared the story/items
John Bufton-McCoyRelationship between the subject of the story and its contributor
FatherType of submission
Shared at National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire on 17 February 2024.Record ID
115931 | NMA022Usage metrics
