Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 334

The posthumous 1940 D.F.M. awarded to Sergeant J. R. G. Lamb, No. 114 Squadron, Royal Air Force, whose crew undertook numerous successful missions early in the war only to be shot down over the channel while performing reconnaissance on 10 November 1940 by German fighter ace Eugen-Ludwig Zweigart

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (581017. Sgt. J. R. G. Lamb. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, sold together with medal ticker tape and box of issue, nearly extremely fine (4)

D.F.M. London Gazette 26 August 1941, the original recommendation states:

'Pilot Officer Dawson and Sergeants Lamb and White have completed a total of 18 operational sorties as pilot, Observer and Air Gunner respectively. On 6th October, 1940, they were detailed to attack barges and shipping in Calais Harbour. Although they encountered intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, they pressed home the attack with great determination and scored hits on a building, a jetty and barges. On the return journey, their aircraft was attacked by 12 Me.109s, one of which was destroyed by Sergeant White. On 9th October, 1940, they again carried out a successful attack on the aerodrome at Texel obtaining direct hits on buildings from a height of 200 feet. Pilot Officer Dawson and his crew have always displayed great determination to carry their tasks to a successful conclusion and have by their zeal and teamwork set an excellent example to the rest of their squadron.'

John Robert Graham Lamb was born in 1919, the son of Sydney and Violet Lamb of Sharpthorne, Sussex. He was serving in the rank of Sergeant (Observer) by the outbreak of the Second World War, serving with No. 114 Squadron manning Belheim bombers. They were stationed with the Advanced Air Striking Force in France during 1939-40 however early in the 1940 offensive a German air raid hit the squadron on the ground and damaged or destroyed their Blenheim's. These losses saw them evacuated prior to the Fall of France which ended in the Dunkirk evacuation.

Regrouping effectively back in Britain the squadron was re-equipped and went into action attacking German ports and airfields in the hope of delaying any invasion attempts. It was during these operations that Lamb and his crew, Sergeant White and Pilot Officer Dawson won their accolades. Tragically their luck was about to run out, the Squadron Operations Record book states:

'R3753 P/O Dawson, Sgt Lamb, Sgt White took off on an armed recce of the German and Dutch coasts. Unfortunately they encountered an enemy aircraft (ME109)

52,40 H 0340 E. Message was received by D/F/1130 hours that aircraft was badly hit in starboard wing.'

The kill is attributed to the German Fighter ace Eugen-Ludwig Zweigart, who achieved a claimed total of 69 victories in the course of his career, although this figure is contested. Of these the unfortunate men of 114 Squadron were his first 'kill' and one of relatively few British aircraft, as Zweigart largely faced Russian and American aircraft.

Lamb's body was lost in the channel along with his aircraft and companions, he is commemorated upon the Runnymede Memorial. Tragically his D.F.M. was not awarded until after his death, making the award a posthumous one; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£1,500 to £2,000

Starting price
£1200