In the early hours of this morning 2/Lieut. R. L. JOYNER was killed in a motor accident. Lieut. R. ELLWOOD, the Squadron Defence officer, sustained a broken collar-bone and Major RECK was severely bruised and shaken as a result of the same accident. The accident occurred while 2/Lieut R. JOYNER was returning from KABRIT and the vehicle in which he was travelling together with other members of the squadron left the road.
The news of the death of 2/Lieut. JOYNER, who was as Transport Officer of the squadron an extremely popular figure, spread rapidly and cast a gloom over the entire unit. Arrangements for the funeral of 2/Lt. JOYNER were completed in the afternoon.
Early this morning a demonstration to squadron Air gunners was given by the squadron parachute-packers on the manipulation of the rubber dinghies carried in the rear cockpits of Baltimores engaged on flights over water. The demonstration was interesting and instructive.
Four aircraft took off at intervals from 2255 Hrs. and searched for movement along road, LINGUALGLOSSA Northwards to D.0048 (Map Reference 1:500,000 SICILIA NE 36/12) . The following are some points that were bombed and illuminated from 2400 Hrs. to 0050 Hrs. from 8/10000’ :- 72 x 40 on NAVARA village starting a fire, 8 x 40 on NAZZARA village .32 x 40 across the road at D.0048. Spasmodic bursts of inaccurate H.A.A One twin-fin T/E aircraft reported following our aircraft from NICISIA to NORTH of GELA. NO contact. Sortie Report and Crew List.
3 Other Ranks arrived from CASTEL BENITO.
Although this was Friday the 13th, the day on which the superstitious people hardly leave their homes, for fear of any mishap, no evil befell the Squadron. The senior N.C.O.’s even went so far as to arrange a sight-seeing tour, which turned out to be a very good and interesting trip.
Lieut. Thompson, who was admitted to hospital while the Squadron was still in Africa, arrived by Boston.