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Auction: 6007 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 391

An ´Immediate´ 1942 D.F.M. to another Crew Member of Lancaster (R5724) Rear Gunner Sergeant S.J. Thompson, Who Although Wounded and with a Broken Leg, Reported the Position of the Fighters, thus Enabling the Pilot to Escape into the Clouds Distinguished Flying Medal G.VI.R., 1st ´Ind: Imp:´ type (968521. Sgt. S.J. Thompson. R.A.F.), nearly extremely fine, with congratulatory telegram from Air Marshal ´Bomber´ Harris, Admittance pass to D.F.M. Investiture Ceremony, dated 18.5.1943, and contemporary newspaper cuttings Estimate £ 2,200-2,500 D.F.M. London Gazette 20.10.1942 968521 Sergeant Stanley James Thompson, No. 61 Squadron, listed jointly with Sergeant S.T. Gunnell, 2nd Pilot; Sergeant F.C. Bunclark, Air Bomber; Flight Sergeant P. Campbell, Pilot; Sergeant C.H. Coakley, Wireless Operator; Sergeant E.H. Corbett, Navigator; Sergeant S. Smith, Mid-Upper Gunner. Sergeant Thompson´s Recommendation, dated 27.9.1942, states ´Sergeant Thompson was rear gunner to Flight Sergeant Campbell on the night of 24th/25th September, 1942. When the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, a bit of shrapnel entered the rear turret and hit Sergeant Thompson in the leg; his leg was broken. Almost immediately, the aircraft was engaged by fighters and cannon and machine gun fire entered the rear turret. The aircraft was out of control at the time and it was impossible for Sergeant Thompson to operate his guns under the conditions. Despite his injuries, he reported the position of the fighters to the pilot and thereby enabled the pilot to escape the into the cloud. Sergeant Thompson was seriously injured but he never grumbled or asked for assistance and when the other members of the crew came to take him out of the turret, he helped in every possible was to facilitate their task. He remained in the rest chair for the remainder of the trip without asking for any assistance or favours. It is considered that Sergeant Thompson displayed outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty when being subjected to the fire from the fighter aircraft and his efforts undoubtedly contributed largely to the aircraft escaping into the clouds.´ Sergeant Stanley James Thompson, D.F.M., born Liverpool, 1908; enlisted as a Service Policeman, Royal Air Force, 1939; later an Air Gunner; after sustaining series injuries to his leg during the operation, he was sent to the R.A.F. Rehabilitation Centre in the Wirral.

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