MARIAN WALENTY KOSTUCH

He survived the crash of R1268 near Edmondsley, Co Durham on 14^th December 1940.  He was badly injured and did not return to the squadron for flying duties until 17^th March 1941.  He is believed to have transferred to 301 Squadron and he was later awarded the Order of Virtuti Militari Silver Cross, 5^th class and the British DFC.  Little is known of his service after that except that he was posted to 300 Squadron on 21^st March 1945 from the Polish Depot at Blackpool.

He was born on 6^th December 1908 and served as an Observer; he died on 26^th June 1993 in Lodz, Poland.  New  evidence suggests that he was the leader of A Flight in 300 Squadron at the end of the War and that he was the recipient of the DFC.

Photo courtesy of Chris Kropinski