Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War D.F.C. group of four attributed to Pilot Officer D. W. McConnell, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action piloting a Lancaster of No. 101 Squadron in a raid on Berlin on 15 February 1944: the award of his D.F.C. was announced in The London Gazette on the same date

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1944’, in its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, extremely fine (4) £800-1000

D.F.C. London Gazette 15 February 1944. The original recommendation states:

‘On his first operational sortie as Captain of Aircraft, this officer flew in an aircraft in which the elevator trimmers became jammed. Pilot Officer McConnell was forced to fly with both arms round the control column in order to maintain control. He endeavoured to complete the sortie but had to abandon the effort through exhaustion after two hours. In November 1943, he took part in a sortie on Berlin at very short notice, completing it with courage and skill. His fine example has always been praiseworthy.’

David Whiteside McConnell was born in Newry, Co. Down in 1920, the son of David and Ruby McConnell of Bridge Street. Commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the R.A.F.V.R. in 1943, he joined No. 101 Squadron, a Lancaster unit operating out of Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire. He subsequently completed at least five sorties to the “Big City” and was awarded the D.F.C. for the above cited deeds prior to his death in action in another raid on Berlin on the night of 15-16 February 1944, the same date on which his award was announced in The London Gazette. His Lancaster - ‘G for George’ - was shot down by a night fighter over the target, McConnell and his two air gunners being killed. The remainder of the crew were taken P.O.Ws; sold with an old typescript citation for the D.F.C. on M.O.D. note paper, together with copied research.