Sigurd Hedin

Sergeant Sigurd Edgar Hedin, DFM was an English airman of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died during the Second World War.
He was born in 1919, in Stockport, the son of Swedish timber merchant Ernst Olof and Dorothy Annie Hedin (née Claxton).
Hedin, serving as an observer in 18 Squadron, died on 11 December 1941, when his Bristol Blenheim (serial Z7802) was shot down by Italian aircraft while engaged on a raid against Argostoli harbour. His two crewmates, Flight Lieutenant Edmunds, DFC and Sergeant Mills also died.Warner, Graham (2002), The Bristol Blenheim: A Complete History, p. 510. He and Flight Lieutenant Edmunds had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross, respectively, for their conduct in November, during two raids raid on shipping east of Tripoli, Libya and Navarini Bay. His citation in the London Gazette, published on 16 December 1941, reads:
In November, 1941, Flight Lieutenant Edmunds and Sergeant Hedin were the pilot and navigator respectively of an aircraft which carried out an attack on shipping east of Tripoli. In spite of extremely unfavourable flying conditions Flight Lieutenant Edmunds persisted in his mission and, ably assisted by Sergeant Hedin who skillfully navigated the aircraft over 200 miles of the sea to the target, finally attacked and scored hits on a large vessel and an escorting destroyer. Two days later, Flight Lieutenant Edmunds, with Sergeant Hedin as navigator, led a low flying attack on shipping in Navarini Bay. In spite of intense fire from the shore, several hits were scored on a 6,000 ton tanker which was set on fire. The skill and determination shown by Flight Lieutenant Edmunds, combined with the skillful and accurate navigation displayed by Sergeant Hedin, were largely responsible for the success achieved.The London Gazette (35386), pp. 7173-4. 16 December 1941. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
He is buried in Phaleron War Cemetery.
==Notes==
==References==
*Ancestry.co.uk.
*Hedin, Sigurd Edgar, cwgc.org. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
Category:1919 births
Category:1941 deaths
Category:British military personnel
Category:Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Category:British people of Swedish descent
Category:Buried in Greece
Category:Sergeants