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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 484

(x) A 1941 D.F.M. awarded to Flight Sergeant J. J. O'Brien, Royal Air Force, who was killed in action on 14 April 1943, on the return leg of a raid on La Spezia

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (551549. Sgt. J. J. O'Brien. R.A.F.), on its original pin, good very fine

D.F.M. London Gazette 25 April 1941. No Recommendation has been traced at present.

James Joseph O'Brien was born at Hull in 1921 and moved to Chevin View, West View, Otley, upon having been married to Grace O'Brien in 1941. Having won his D.F.M. with No. 77 that same year, he transferred to No. 103 Squadron. He was killed in action on 14 April 1943, on his return from a Raid on La Spezia. Their Lancaster W4828, with Flight Lieutenant Edward Claude Lee-Brown at the controls, had taken off at 2018hrs from Elsham Wolds. It appears they lost their bearings and were in a mid-air collision over Saint-Mars-d'Outillé with ED714 of No. 12 Squadron. Having crashed near le Mans (Sarthe), the crew are buried in the West Cemetery; sold together with Buckingham Palace Memorial Scroll in the name of 'Flight Sergeant J. J. O'Brien, D.F.M Royal Air Force', together with its named forwarding slip, together with letter of condolence and newspaper clipping, these all folded.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£1,500

Starting price
£1200