David Walter Weston Lancaster Bomber Wireless Operator Distinguished Flying Cross 101 Squadron 7th November 1923 to 21st February 1945 David Walter Weston was born in Chichester on 7th November 1923. He was the youngest son of Victor Claude Weston, grocer of South Street, Chichester. His elder brothers were Cyril and Lionel, and his sister was Gladys. On 3rd September 1939, when war was declared, David was not yet 16 years old, but would have probably started work already in City Fruit Stores with his father and brothers, working as a greengrocer's assistant. On the radio, as the frequency was tuned to the BBC Home Service, the first voice they would have heard on that day was that of Alvar Liddell as he introduced the Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain. What followed is surely the most historic public address of all time. "I have to tell you now that this country is at war with Germany." Inevitably on 3rd February 1942, aged just 19, David enlisted as an Aircraft hand with the RAF reserves. On his service record, he is described as 5 ft 8.5 inches. His chest is 38 inches, his hair is fair and he has grey eyes. He has a fresh vaccination scar on his buttock! He is medical category grade 1 and recommended for training as air crew as a Wireless Operator. The training for wireless operators on Lancasters was the longest of all the crew, even pilots. They had to pass exams in radio and radar theory, blind landing and principles of navigation as well as aircraft recognition. David was posted initially to Oxford Recruit Centre, then to Cosford and Yatesbury, for air crew training as a wireless operator, where his character and proficiency were categorised as very good. Following this, David also trained as an air gunner. On 1st May 1943, he was qualified as Aircraftman Second Class, but by 3rd June 1943, he was a Flight Sergeant. On 8th November 1943, he was appointed to a temporary commission. He spent a little while at RAF Helmswell, which was the No. 1 Lancaster Finishing School. This was the beginning of his ...