World War II bomber rewarded with new bravery medal (From The Oxford Times)

World War II bomber rewarded with new bravery medal

7:00am Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News By Sam McGregor, covering Bicester. Call me on 01869 250197

NIGHT after night planes flew from England to Germany to bomb cities in a bid to win the Second World War.

One of those taking part in those missions aboard a Halifax bomber was teenager Trevor Marlow.

Now the 85-year-old is the second Oxfordshire war veteran known to be in line for a new medal, the Bomber Command Clasp.

Earlier this month the Government announced the medal to recognise the bravery of those who served with the RAF’s Bomber Command.

Mr Marlow, of The Moors, Kidlington, welcomed the recognition.

He said: “I think it’s good because we went through so much stress – over half of us were killed, so I’m lucky to be here. I thought they should have awarded us a medal a long time ago, but I am very proud of the fact that they have thought we were eligible for recognition for what we did.

“It’s mainly for all those who were killed.”

Mr Marlow signed up for service in 1943 at the age of 18, joining 158 Squadron, based in Lissett, North East Yorkshire. He was sent on bombing missions to the Rhine and Ruhr areas of Germany.

As flight engineer and second pilot, his job was to make sure the plane was working during the flight, and take over to fly the plane if the pilot was killed or injured.

Grandfather-of-two Mr Marlow said: “I think because of us (Bomber Command) the Germans gave up in the end.”

After the war Mr Marlow worked at Morris Motors as an engineer and later Pressed Steel as a tool maker.

He was married to Patricia, who died two years ago, aged 85. The couple had two children Jim and Jane.

Former Flying Officer Leslie Valentine, 94, of Hethe, near Bicester, is also eligible for the new clasp.