Dunbar, George Irving Herbert
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | George Irving Herbert |
Surname | Dunbar |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 27-02-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of David and Eva Eleanor Dunbar, of Sundridge, Ontario Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | DT619 |
Markings | VR-Q |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Scottow Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Grave 297. |
Epitaph | GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 158 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/108858 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 419 (Moose) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Outside Former St. Georges Hotel, Teesside Airport, County Durham |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Slate Memorial Tablet on Stone Memorial |
Memorial Text | A memorial to Nos 419, 420 and 428 Sqns RCAF who flew from RAF Middleton St George during WW2 |
Miscellaneous Information
Sgt. Mellin's DFM appeared in the London Gazette on 23 April 1943 (Supplement 35989, Page 1856): "One night in February 1943, this airman was the navigator of an aircraft detailed for a mine-laying mission off the Frisian Islands. In the course of the operation an enemy fighter engaged the aircraft raking its fuselage with machine-gun fire. The flight engineer and the rear gunner were killed while Sergeant Mellin was hit in the leg by a bullet which caused a compound fracture to the fibia and tibea bones. Despite the severity of his injuries, this airman assumed the duties of the flight engineer, while other members of the crew were quelling flames which had broken out in the bomber. He afterwards returned to his navigational duties, proving of great assistance to his pilot who flew the damaged aircraft to an airfield in this country. Although he had lost much blood and was in intense pain, it was only when the aircraft was about to be landed that Sergeant Mellin would consent to leave his post. His exemplary conduct and great fortitude were worthy of the highest praise." |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1822/26 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1822/25 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 27-02-1943 |
End Date | 27-02-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Middleton St. George |
Day/Night Raid | Night (59% moon) |
Operation | Mine-laying off the Frisians |
Reason for Loss | Shot up by an enemy fighter, killing Sgt G I Dunbar and F/S Grogan and seriosuly injuring the navigator, R/110157 Sgt. Arthur Alured Mellin, who assumed the duties of the dead flight engineer despite his injuries, only retrurning to his own duties once the aircraft was safely on its return course to England. For his devotion to duty, he was awarded an immediate DFM. |