Full medal write up
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, G.VI.R., THE REVERSE OFFICIALLY DATED 1943, IN CASE OF ISSUE, 1939-1945 STAR, AFRICA STAR, CLASP NORTH AFRICA 1942-43, AIR CREW EUROPE STAR, DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS.
D.F.C. London Gazette 30 March 1943. The original recommendation, dated 31 January 1943:
““This Officer has consistently displayed fine navigational skill and eagerness to take part in operations against the enemy. These qualities have contributed to the success of his crew in obtaining photographs of the target area. At all times on the ground and in the air his fine example, skill and devotion to duty have been an inspiration to all other navigators of the squadron.”
Additionally, the Commanding Officer of 142 Squadron added:
“P/O May has operated with No.142 Squadron for the past five months, during which he has carried out 24 successful sorties. His fine offensive spirit and outstanding navigational skills have largely contributed to giving his crew the highest record in the squadron for photographs of the target area. At all times on the ground and in the air his fine example, skill and devotion to duty have been an inspiration to the other navigators in the squadron. Very Strongly recommended for the Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.”
John May, from Penwortham, Preston was born circa 1912 and pre war worked for Leyland and Birmingham Rubber Co. He had been married in 1936 and enlisted into Royal Air Force within months of the outbreak of the war. Initially a Sergeant Observer (No 1101598) as part of W/O Bray’s crew, they joined 142 Squadron on 17 August 1942. At this time, the Squadron was based at RAF Grimsby, equipped with Vickers Wellington III and IV’s…..
SEE PDF FOR FULL WRITE-UP
The awards are sold with the following original items including:
1) Flight Lieutenant John May D.F.C. R.A.F.V.R. notification letter to attend his D.F.C. at investiture Buckingham Palace 1 May 1945. Along with two tickets to Buckingham Palace Investiture
2) Air Ministry campaign medals transmittal slip
3) RAF Flying Clothing Card to F/O 134655 May J
4) Original 1942 photograph of five crew in front of their Wellington, crew named to reserve and a second aerial photograph
5) 1943 publication Blida’s Bombers by Eric Summers covering 142 & 150 Sqns deployment in North Africa etc. May named within
6) Four RAF buttons, two DFC ribbon bars, an epaulette rank bar and May’s dog tag
7) 42 Air School Christmas 1941 menu
8) Three newspaper clippings, two detailing the award of the DFC to May and another of Lysanders
9) Compliment card from ‘The Lancashire Daily Post’
10) RAF yellow canvas escape packet
11) mini-escape compass, glass cracked
12) Two double sided R.A.F. silk escape maps of North Africa, No K3/H2, with Iberian peninsula reverse and a smaller map of Algeria with Gibraltar reverse
13) Rubberised container, possibly part of escape equipment
Additionally included are digital copies of the Operational logs for 142 Squadron during May’s entire service and May’s individual sorties as noted above.
A very fine group to a Wellington Navigator who saw operational service on two fronts 1942-3.