Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘1943’ Lancaster wireless operator’s D.F.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant J. A. Day, 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force, who flew in at least 28 operational sorties, including to Berlin 5 times, Turin 5 times, and to Essen and back 6 times

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1264201. Sgt. J. A. Day. R.A.F.) suspension slack; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, generally very fine or better (5) £1,200-£1,600

D.F.M. London Gazette 15 June 1943:

‘This wireless operator has successfully taken part in twenty five sorties including five attacks on Essen and three on Berlin. Throughout he has shown himself to be keen, efficient and reliable in his work. His captain has always trusted him implicitly. By his cheery and confident manner, he has inspired the rest of the crew, and set a grand example to the rest of the squadron. He has shown great skill in the use of security equipment and has never had a W/T failure on operations. It is strongly recommended that he should be awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for his great courage and devotion to duty in the face of heavy A.A. Defences.’

John Albert Day served during the Second War with the Royal Air Force. He flew as a wireless operator with No. 16 O.T.U. on his first operational sortie to Dusseldorf, 10 September 1942. After which he transferred to 61 Squadron (Lancasters), Syerston, and took part in at least a further 27 operational sorties between November 1942 - March 1943. These included: Turin (5); Stettin; Mannheim; Munich (2); Essen (6); Berlin (5) including 16 January 1943, when his aircraft was ‘holed by flak’; Dusseldorf; Hamburg (2); Nuremburg (2); Cologne; St. Nazaire (2); Stuttgart; and Duisberg.