Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War Pathfinder’s D.F.M. group of six awarded to Pilot Officer R. W. Shopland, Royal Canadian Air Force, who flew 39 operational sorties as a Bomb Aimer in Lancasters of 405 (Vancouver) Squadron, his fine example being ‘difficult to surpass’

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (CAN/R.159124. F/Sgt. R. W. Shopland. R.C.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for display, good very fine (6) £1,200-£1,600

D.F.M. London Gazette 19 January 1945.

The original recommendation states: ‘Flight Sergeant Shopland is a highly efficient Bomb Aimer in a crew which has a splendid operational record. He has participated in attacks on such heavily defended targets as Russelsheim, Dortmund and Duisburg.

He has invariably displayed a fine offensive spirit and a keen sense of responsibility, which has inspired his fellow crew members on to greater efforts. Although on many occasions, he has been placed in great personal danger, he has not faltered from pressing home his attacks to the full and seeing that his bombs hit the proper objective. Undoubtedly, this N.C.O.’s fine example will be difficult to surpass.
Strongly recommended for the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.’

Robert Wilson Shopland was born in Rochester, Alberta on 1 March 1916, the son of a farmer.

Qualifying as a Bomb Aimer in the Royal Canadian Air Force after the commencement of hostilities, he was embarked for the U.K. and posted to 405 (Vancouver) Squadron at R.A.F. Gransden Lodge, a Lancaster unit in No. 8 (Pathfinder) Group, in June 1944.

It being the time of the Normandy landings - and the eve of the V.1 offensive – his subsequent tour of 39 sorties was evenly divided between targets of a French and German nature. Thus, a strike on the V-weapon storage base at Trossy St. Maximin on 4 August 1944 and, by way of freeing up the Channel ports and coast, several attacks on Boulogne, Calais and the Todt battery located at Cap Gris-Nez.
Germany, too, appeared on the squadron’s hit list from mid-August, Shopland and his crew twice mounting attacks against Bottrop, Duisburg, Russelsheim and Stettin, among other heavily defended targets. Their final sortie was flown against Duisburg on 14 October 1944.

Shopland - who was recommended for his D.F.M. a few days later - died in Edmonton, Alberta in June 1989.