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Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 215

(x) A scarce Fleet Air Arm D.S.M. group of six awarded to Petty Officer (Air) J. D. MacKechnie, Royal Navy, later Lieutenant (Air), who won his award flying Albacores with No. 826 Squadron in the Western Desert during 1942

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (F.X.77186 J. D. Mackechnie. A/P.O. (Air); 1939-1945 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Africa Star, clasp North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, court mounted for display, the first with officially re-impressed naming, otherwise good very fine (6)

D.S.M. London Gazette January 1943.

'For gallantry and skill in flying operations in the Middle East'. (No recommendation extant for the award).

John Duncan Mackechnie was born at Birmingham in September 1905, a scion of the family of metal merchants and producers, of Rotton Park Street. MacKechnie served with distinction and would have flown in the Albacores of No. 826 Squadron. 826 was formed in 1940 and flew its first missions over Belgium during May 1940. In November 1940, the squadron embarked Formidable, which sailed for the Mediterranean via South Africa and the Red Sea, flying attacks against Massawa, Eritrea for good measure. They also flew in the Battle of Cape Matapan on 28 March 1941, damaging the Italian battleship Vittorio Veneto.

Its service in the Western Desert included a role as torpedo bombers and in illuminating targets for the Wellington Bombers, which it did to notable effect during the battles for El Alamein. Having been invested with the D.S.M. at Buckingham Palace on 20 July 1943, No. 826 was disbanded on 25 August. It was subsequently reformed in December and flew Barracuda's from Indefatigable for Operations 'Mascot' and 'Goodwood' in the attacks on Tirpitz.

MacKechnie was subsequently commissioned into the Royal Navy and retired at the rank of Lieutenant (Air) on 21 January 1949, although he is stated as having reached Lieutenant-Commander in Telegraphist Air Gunner. He published the history of the family business in 1956 and died at Potters Bar on 20 November 1956; sold together with an invitation to attend his investiture, dedicated in ink 'Petty Officer Airman J. D. Mackechnie, F.A.A., 20th July 1943.' and copied research and extracts from Telegraphist Air Gunner by Ken Sims D.S.M.

He published the history of the family business in 1956 and died at Potter's Bar, Hertfordshire on 20 November 1956. He is buried in Tomnahurich Cemetery, Inverness. His gravestone featuring the wings as worn by a Fleet Air Arm pilot.

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

Estimate
£1,000 to £1,500

Starting price
£800