Air Crew Europe Star: Flight Lieutenant Roydon Derwent Woods, 90 Squadron RAF

Air Crew Europe Star with FRANCE AND GERMANY' clasp. Engraved on reverse with recipient's details.

Roydon Derwent Woods was born on 15 July 1916 and was a clerk on enlistment in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on 17 August 1941. He completed his early training at No 2 Initial Training School, Bradfield Park and No 5 Elementary Flying Training School, Narromine before graduating as a pilot from No 5 Service Flying Training School, Uranquinty.

Embarking for overseas service on 17 October 1942 Woods arrived in England on 17 December. He was attached to No 3 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit and No 27 Operational Training Unit (OTU) where he was trained in flying the medium bombers Airspeed Oxford and Vickers Wellington. After completing his OTU training Woods transferred to No. 1651 Conversion Unit, where he was required to qualify as a pilot of the heavy bomber the Short Stirling before he would be posted to an operational squadron. At this time the Short Stirling was one of the main line heavy bombers of Bomber Command.

Joining No 90 Squadron, RAF Woods flew a total of 200 operational hours and completed a tour of 30 operations. He carried out multiple night and day bombing raids across France and Germany, including over Bordeaux, Calais, Cleves, Bonn, Stuttgart, Essen, Hamburg and Trier. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in April 1945.

Woods was discharged with the rank of flying officer on 14 December 1945.