Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Sergeant (Wireless Operator / Air Gunner) J. A. Wright, 57 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action when his Wellington was lost without trace during a bombing raid on Duisberg, 21-22 July 1942

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Air Council enclosure and medal ticket, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘... Wright, ... Crescent, Winton, Bournemouth’, nearly extremely fine (3) £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Second World War Royal Air Force Casualties.

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John Alfred Wright served during the Second World War as a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner with 57 Squadron, flying Wellingtons, and took part in his first operational sortie on 24 April 1942. He took part in the three 1,000 bomber raids, against Cologne on 30-31 May 1942; Essen on 1-2 June 1942; and Bremen on 25-26 June 1942; as well as raids on the Krupp’s works at Essen, Gennesvillers, Kiel, Heligoland and the daylight raid on Duisberg.

Wright was killed in action on his 24th sortie when Wellington X3584, piloted by Sergeant T. Wakefield, disappeared without traces during a bombing raid on Duisberg on 21-22 July 1942. The aircraft was believed to have been bought down by very heavy flak. All the crew, including Wright and Sergeant J. W. Morgan, were killed.

Wright is commemorated with the rest of his crew on the Runnymede Memorial. His medals were sent to his widow, Mrs. R. T. Wright, of Bournemouth.

Sold with copied research.

For the medals awarded to Sergeant J. W. Morgan, see the previous lot, Lot 715.