Medals WW 2 01

World War Two and 208 Squadron quickly became very busy.

It’s Lysanders were involved in action in Libya and then Abyssinia, followed by the Greek campaign in 1941. The German High Command was very proud to announce after its victory in Greece that it had “destroyed that valuable link between Greece and the British North African HQ, Number 208 Squadron”.

Again, the men on the ground were given credit for their contribution to the Squadron’s success and two of them, LAC SE Jefford and Cpl HW Greenbank had their efforts recognised. Sidney Jefford received the standard campaign medals for his service in the Middle East:

the 1939-45 Star,

the Africa Star 1941,

the Italy Star,

the 1939-45 Defence Medal,

the 1939-45 War Medal

and the Greek government’s Greek

Campaign Medal for 1941.

He served with 208 for five years and was mentioned in despatches

Corporal Greenbank’s leadership on the ground and outstanding dedication to duty earned him the British Empire Medal and then the same campaign medals as Sidney Jefford

In that same theatre of war, two officers merit particular mention – the first being Flt Lt G Murray-Jones, the Squadron Medical Officer, who tended battle wounds and repaired war injuries with virtually no facilities and the minimum of medicines. “Doc” Murray-Jones was rewarded with the MBE, Member of the Order of the British Empire. {To follow the Doctor’s story follow this LINK }

SECOND WORLD WAR