Stan Jones - Operation Manna - RIP

Antipodean Andy · Jun 24, 2009

Nice photo at link.

War hero, Stan Jones, dies at 84

Stan Jones, a valiant airman who braved German gunners to drop emergency supplies to starving Dutch citizens in the closing days of the Second World War, is being remembered by friends in Windsor today as a hero, a gentleman and a quick-witted and inspirational storyteller.

Jones, who leaves behind Helen, his wife of 27 years, and four step-children, ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, died suddenly Thursday evening. He was 84.

“He was such an inspiration,” said Mike Beale, president of the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association. “He was one of those understated gentlemen. He never, ever used the word ‘I.’ He always spoke in terms of the crew.”

Pilots with the association will take to the skies in three planes Tuesday and honour Jones with a “fly-past” following his afternoon funeral at All Saints Church.

Coun. Ron Jones called his friend of 24 years a “true gentleman” and a “humble, sweet man” who made a difference and who will be missed by many.

“He was an entertainer, one that people enjoyed being around,” he said.

“One of his true loves was to get out and talk to the kids about life and he was truly loved by the kids in the elementary school system.”

Jones was also involved with the Roseland Golden K Kiwanis club that was instrumental in providing schools with CPR mannequins so students could learn first aid, his family said.

“He was pretty special to us,” said his wife Helen. “I’ve got 27 years of memories.”

Jones grew up in England and dodged bullets as a teen in the streets of London during the blitz before enlisting in the Royal Air Force.

He was the wireless operator on the Bad Penny — an RAF Lancaster bomber sent on a dangerous supply mission above the occupied Netherlands in April of 1945. The seven-man crew included five Canadians and was captained by the late Bob Upcott of Windsor.

The Germans had been told not to fire on airplanes delivering emergency supplies, but no one, least of all the young men in the belly of the Lanc, knew what to expect as they flew just a few hundred feet above the menacing Nazi firepower.

The guns stayed silent and Jones and the crew dropped foodstuffs above the Duindigt Racetrack near the Hague. The successful mission paved the way for dozens upon dozens of Lancaster and Mosquito bombers to drop nearly 7,000 tons of supplies to millions of starving Dutch citizens as part of Operation Manna.

“This is a guy who had seen it all,” said Beale. “He imparted these stories with a candour and openness. He not only told you the story, he endeared himself to you with his gentle presence.”

The exploits of the crew have been immortalized in a children’s book by Glen Mitchell called A Bad Penny Always Comes Back. Jones was scheduled to speak about his integral role in the vital mission Sunday at the Canadian Aviation Museum in Ottawa.

Mike Kohuch, manager of the historical society’s Lancaster restoration project, was to accompany Jones to the event and will now speak in his stead.

“It’s going to be tough shoes to fill,” said Kohuch. “He had a remarkable wit about him that could just cut through a room.”

Kohuch said Jones’ intimate knowledge of the Lancaster bomber has proven invaluable as the team works to restore the plane formerly housed outdoors in Jackson Park.

Beale credited the “inspirational” words of Jones to council in 2004 as being the catalyst for finally moving the battered Lanc to the airport.

“To my mind, the old girl has done her fair stint outside,” Jones said at the time. “She’s in need of a new home and a little tender loving care.”
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