David was born in 1923 in King’s Norton, Warwickshire to Maurice and May née Joseph. In 1925 David travelled with his parents to Montreal where his father worked as a salesman. David’s sister Aileen was born in Montreal in 1926. The family returned to England in 1932.

In 1939, David’s father Maurice was living at The Old Bull Pub, 141 Church Street, Preston and was working as a works engineer. David was living with his mother and sister Aileen in Stratford-upon-Avon. They were lodging with May’s brother Walter who was an aircraft manufacturer.

On 21 September 1943 David was awarded a DFM. His citation stated: ‘As an Air Gunner, Flight Sergeant Silverman has displayed outstanding keenness and determination at all times. On the night of 27/28 July 1943, whilst over Hamburg, the aircraft was hit by flak and his turret badly damaged. Although his intercommunication was completely severed, he carried on his job by means of signals under very difficult conditions and contributed in no small way towards successfully beating off an attack by an enemy fighter and thus bringing his aircraft safely home. Flight Sergeant Silverman has taken part in 35 operations against the enemy including many against the best defended targets in Germany and enemy occupied territory. By his great keenness and cheerfulness, he has set a very fine example to the rest of the squadron and I can strongly recommend him for the immediate award of the DFM.

David was an air gunner on Lancaster JB363 which departed RAF Warboys on a night operation to Berlin. The aircraft was hit by heavy flak and exploded in mid-air over Berlin-Reinickendorf. The aircraft crashed near Döberitz, Germany killing all the crew. It is worth noting that every single airman on the crew had been awarded either the DFC or DFM.

A/B John Clifford Otter, DFC 156599.
Nav, Reginald Roberts, DFC 128510.
W/Op, Michael John Ernest Stoneley, DFM 158258.
A/G, Edward Mackson Thompson, DFC 132382.
Pilot, John Henry White, DFC 37620.
F/E, Wilfred Wilkinson, DFC 156357.