David Dushman
Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner, 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron
Service number 657694
Died 22 March 1944
Commemorated on Runnymede Memorial
Age 22
David was born on 4 May 1921 in Holborn, London.
David’s family have now been contacted and further information on his life and training will be available soon.
David enlisted into the Army in June 1940 and served in the Queen’s Royals West Surrey before he transferred to the RAF on 30 June 1941.
David was on his first operation and the wireless operator/air gunner on Lancaster JB731 which departed RAF Bourn at 18.45 on a night operation to Frankfurt. The O.R.B. states: ‘At 20.38 hrs. S.O.S. received. At 20.39 hrs. message received from PULHAM ‘Position 53.21 N. 03.45 S. Baling out. No further news. MISSING.’ The non-operational RAF Station at Pulham St Mary in Norfolk picked up a message after the aircraft had been airborne for two hours. It is thought that the aircraft was attacked by a night fighter and ditched into the sea with the loss of all crew.
Pilot, F/O William Patrick Moroney, 158922
F/E, Sgt Frederick Thomas Coulter, 1234081
Nav, F/O Martin Jenkins, 144925
B/A, F/Sgt Geoffrey Stuart Davies, 1315680
W/Op, Sgt David Dushman
M/UG, F/Sgt John (Jack) Bell, RCAF, J/88407
R/G, Sgt Cecil Albert Mills, 1601802


Resources
David aged 16 with his sister Gertie David & Gertie with parents Michael & Bertha Michael & David August 1933 David & Rose 1938 Regents Park David 1941 at Scarborough David 1942 Southern Field, Georgia David with 2 friends and basic trainer BT13 David with friends at Hotel Roosevelt May 1942 David & Rachel. Jacksonville, Florida, 4 April 1942 1942, David on leave with the family David & friends hitching a ride, date & place unknown Graduation 25 July 1942. David front row, far left David & Rose Wedding Day July 1944 David & Rose Honeymoon David in Army uniform