Orders, Decorations and Medals

A poignant Bomber Command grouping:

Three: Sergeant J. W. Morgan, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action in Wellington X3584 of No. 57 Squadron on the night of 22-23 July 1942

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, extremely fine

Three: Sergeant J. A. Wright, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was also killed in action in Wellington X3584 of No. 57 Squadron on the night of 22-23 July 1942

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, in their original card forwarding box, with medal issuance slip and Air Council condolence slip in the name of ‘Sergeant J. A. Wright’, extremely fine (6) £600-800

John Willoughby Morgan was born in Bosham, Sussex in January 1922 and was educated at Norbury Manor School. Enlisting in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, he commenced training as a Wireless Operator in February 1941 but transferred to a Gunnery Course in September of the same year.

Having then attended an O.T.U. at Abingdon, he was posted to No. 57 Squadron, a Wellington unit operating out of R.A.F. Methwold, in which capacity he served as a Front Gunner. Completing his first sorties in late April 1942, a brace of trips to Dunkirk, he flew a further 23 operations in the period leading up to his death in action in July, his targets including Bremen (twice), Cologne, Essen (four times), and Mannheim. Of events on the night of 22-23 July, when detailed to attack Duisburg, little is known, Wellington X3584 being lost without trace. Morgan, the son of Ernest and Elsie Morgan of Norbury, Surrey, was 20 years of age and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Sold with the recipient’s original R.A.F. Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (Form 1767 type), covering the period February 1941 until July 1942, together with original R.A.F. Records Office forwarding letter and a wartime photograph.

John Alfred Wright, the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Wright of Bournemouth, Hampshire, was 25 years of age and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.