General Information
Award Citations
Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross
Squadron Leader COWPER and Flight Lieutenant WATSON of the RAF have completed a second tour of operational duty and have consistently displayed a high degree of skill and co-operation.
Their keenness to engage the enemy has always been evident and they have been responsible for the destruction of five hostile aircraft.
Unit: No. 456 Squadron, RAAF
Gazetted: The London Gazette, 9 February 1945
Distinguished Flying Cross
This officer has completed 68 sorties and has displayed great courage and determination. During a sortie in January, 1943, Flying Officer Cowper was compelled to make a forced landing behind the enemy's lines but he displayed great resource in out-witting the enemy and regained our own lines on foot. On night in July, 1943, he engaged a Junkers 88 and caused it to explode. The enemy aircraft disintegrated and a large portion struck and so disabled Flying Officer Cowper's aircraft that he was forced to leave it by parachute. He was later rescued from the sea and re-joined his squadron to resume operational flying. Since then, Flying Officer Cowper has destroyed another Junkers 88.
Unit: No. 108 Squadron, RAF
Archival Material
National Archives of Australia
| Series No. | Control Symbol | Item Title | Digitised Item | Item ID |
| A9300 | COWPER R B | COWPER ROBERT BARSON : Service Number - 407666 : Date of birth - 24 Jun 1922 : Place of birth - BROKEN HILL NSW : Place of enlistment - ADELAIDE SA : Next of Kin - COWPER WILLIAM |
|
5379692 |
External Links
Record Published:
New Book Release:
8 October 2023