Spink Medals 12044 pages:Layout 1
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September 6, 2012 - LONDON
Squadron Leader M.H. Exton Flying Officer Maurice Herbert Exton, D.F.C., born and grew up in Sydney, New South Wales; enlisted in the Royal Air Force, 11.8.1941; after initial training including at Camp Borden, Ontario, was Commissioned Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 6.10.1942; promoted Flying Officer, 6.5.1943, and posted to No. 301 Ferry Training Unit, RAF Lyneham, September 1943, and flew in 8 operational Ferry Flights (Beauforts, Dakotas, and Beaufighters) with various Ferry Units up until April 1944, when he was posted to No. 132 O.T.U., East Fortune; posted to No.144 Squadron (Beaufighters), Strubby, 4.8.1944, for operational flying with Coastal Command, and flew his first operational sortie with his new Squadron four days later- a reconnaissance trip over the Frisian Islands. Flying mainly patrols and anti-shipping operations his first strike with the enemy came over Stonge Fjord, 19.9.1944: ‘Patrolled Utvaer-Bremanger and back before sighting. 144 went in first. Targets were trawler and two supply ships northbound and one ship just outside the fjord southbound. Self attacked 1400 ton “Lynx”. Obtained cannon hits amid ships: “Lynx” later went aground. Other ships left burning. Moderate amount of accurate heavy flak from shore batteries’ (Log Book refers). His next major action occurred near Egero, 9.10.1944: ‘Took off in darkness at 05:00hrs and formed up at first light 10 miles off Utsire...Carried fish and went in on attack on convoy just north of Egero. 5 Merchant
Vessels of 5,000 tons, 3 of 1,500 tons, and a Dutch coaster; 5 Enemy Vessels including 2 “M” Class types but slightly larger. Terrific flak from every ship, own aircraft hit by heavy flak in port wing leading edge, port wing and fuselage by heavy machine gun fire, and elevator and tail plane by 20mm shell. Flipped almost on back- deuce of a job getting back. Claims: 2 Merchant Vessels sunk by torpedoes, 1 escort by anti flak, and 1 large Merchant Vessel left well afire. Final assessment: 4 ships sunk altogether’ (ibid). For this action Exton was awarded an Immediate D.F.C. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 6.11.1944, continued to fly Rover Patrols over Scandanavia, before taking a torpedo refresher course at Turnberry, December 1944; returning to the Squadron for operational flying in the New Year; his final operational sortie of the War was over the Vadheim Fjord, 6.4.1945: ‘Went on sighting mistook landfall at Utvaer and went north to Gulens then south at 7,000 feet to target- 3 Merchant Vessels, 1 Enemy Vessel- very steep dive could not let RP go. Cannon attack only. Led force northwards towards bandits. Mustang escort claimed two destroyed probable. Results of attack: 2,500 tons of Merchant Vessels left burning, 1,500 tons damaged. Tug (own target) slightly damaged’ (ibid). After the War Exton remained in the Royal Air Force and by 1949 was serving with No.13 Squadron based at Fayid on the Suez Canal. Promoted Squadron Leader, 1.1.1952, he retired 3.5.1959.
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