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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 400

The very rare Second World War Whirlwind Pilot's D.F.M. awarded to Pilot Officer J. I. 'Simmy' Simpson, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was latterly killed in action when his aircraft suffered a double engine failure and crashed while returning from an Op on 9 October 1943

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (656521. F/Sgt. J. I. Simpson. R.A.F.), nearly extremely fine

D.F.M. London Gazette 1 October 1943, the original citation states:

'This airman had taken part in numerous day and night bombing operations and reconnaissances against the enemy. He has excelled in night operations and has undertaken the most hazardous sorties with the utmost confidence and gallantry. His courage and skill have inspired great confidence in his crew.'

James Ian 'Simmy' Simpson was born at Glasgow in 1919, the son of James and Joan Simpson of Pollokshields, Glasgow. Serving with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War he was posted to No. 263 Squadron.

This unit began its service at R.A.F. Filton, on 2 October 1939 and was equipped with Whirlwinds the next year in July 1940. Simpson starts to appear in their Operations Record Book from August 1943 at R.A.F. Warmwell, from which they launched a raid on the Brest Guipavas aerodrome. Dive-bombing the buildings, six explosions were marked with four seen to be on-target. Later in the month he was twice called upon to conduct recce sweeps to guard against enemy shipping - one of which was a scramble - neither encountered enemy.

He is noted as receiving confirmation of his D.F.M. on 30 August - one of just five or six awards for the entire Second World War - he continued to serve with the Squadron. Launching a number of night operations against E-Boats and armed trawlers. Taking part in an attack on an E-Boat on 9 October 1943 he was killed during the return journey when both engines failed. The Operational Records Book states:

'P/O Simpson had been with the Squadron for 15 months and was an experienced Whirlwind pilot. He had recently been awarded the DFM. Simmy was liked by all the Squadron and is a great loss to the squadron, as a pilot and a friend.'

He is buried at Glasgow (Eastwood) Old and New Cemetery; sold together with copied research including a London Gazette extract, Operational Records Book extracts and a Commonwealth War Graves certificate as well as a former action listing.

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Sold for
£3,200

Starting price
£1200