Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Second War ‘1945’ A.F.C., ‘1939’ A.F.M. flying instructor’s group of four awarded to Sergeant Pilot, later Wing Commander, J. Shearsmith, Royal Air Force

Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1945’; Air Force Medal, G.VI.R. (363255. S. Sgt. J. Shearsmith. R.A.F.) double-struck in places; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for display on card, generally nearly extremely fine (4) £2,600-£3,000

A.F.C. London Gazette 14 June 1945, the original recommendation states:

‘No. 7 Flying Training School (total instructional flying hours - 3230). As assistant to the Chief Instructor Flight Lieutenant Shearsmith has made an outstanding contribution to the efficiency of Flying Training Command. At all times he has displayed marked ability, loyalty and devotion to duty. Although, in his present capacity, much of his time is devoted to administrative detail, he has retained exceptional keenness to keep close contact with the flying instruction personal participation.’

A.F.M. London Gazette 2 January 1939, the original recommendation states:

‘This NCO pilot has been a flying instructor in the Intermediate Training Squadron of this unit from 9 Nov 1936 to 23 May 1938 and was then transferred to the Advanced Training Squadron.

During the year ending 30 Sept 1938 he completed a total of 278 hours flying. I recommended this NCO for the Air Force Medal in February of this year in view of his extremely valuable flying services under peace conditions and since that date he has still continued to carry out such services. I look upon him as a very efficient pilot and an extremely competent instructor both in single and twin-engined aircraft, and he is most hardworking, energetic and conscientious in all his duties. He also instils the proper confidence in all pupils with whom he is dealing, and such pilots that he has trained have reached a standard which I consider highly commendable. His thoroughness in the work now allotted to him in the Advanced Training Squadron and his experience and efficiency in both squadrons have been of great value to the Service.

Beyond his very excellent ability as an instructor at a Flying Training School, he is gifted with that sense of duty and bearing required of a NCO.

Taking the excellent all-round work of this NCO during the time he has been at this unit, and the very great amount of work that has been given him during this expansion period, I feel that he is deserving of recognition. I therefore very strongly recommend him for the Air Force Medal.

Air Officer Commanding remarks:

Sergeant Shearsmith has, by his exceptional skill and devotion to duty as a Flying Instructor, performed most valuable work in No. 6 Flying Training School. I recommend the award of the Air Force Medal as an appropriate recognition of his services.’

Jack Shearsmith was born in Selby, Yorkshire in April 1907, and enlisted in the Royal Air Force as a Halton Apprentice in the 6th Entry in September 1922. Having passed out and mustered as a Fitter Aero Engine, he was posted for service with 6 Squadron in Iraq, September 1927. Shearsmith returned from Iraq in October 1929, and remustered as a pilot under training in June 1931. Shearsmith carried out his training at 4 F.T.S., and was promoted Sergeant in March 1932. Having served in Egypt on and off between 1930 - 1936, Shearsmith qualified as a Flying Instructor in November 1936.

Shearsmith was posted to the Central Flying School in August 1936, and then to 6 F.T.S., Little Rissington, in November of the same year (presented with his A.F.M. by the A.O.C. at the station in February 1939). He was discharged to a commission in March 1940, and was granted an Emergency Commission as Pilot Officer on probation in the General Duties Branch the following month. Shearsmith briefly stayed as an instructor at 6 F.T.S., before serving at 7 F.T.S., April 1940 - September 1943. He advanced to Flight Lieutenant in April 1942, and to Acting Squadron Leader in February the following year. Subsequent wartime postings included at 18 (Pilots) A.F.U. and 7 (Pilots) A.F.U., before being appointed Chief Ground Instructor at 7 F.T.S. in April 1947. Shearsmith transferred to Aircraft Control Branch in November 1947, and to Fighter Control Branch in July 1949. He advanced to Squadron Leader in January 1952, and subsequent postings included with H.Q. 66 Group, H.Q. 12 Group, H.Q. Met Sector and as Master Controller at No. 144 Signals Unit, Bawdsey. Shearsmith advanced to Acting Wing Commander in April 1957, and retired three years later. Wing Commander Shearsmith resided at 13 Carleton Crescent, Walton, Peterborough in later life, and died in September 1977.

Sold with copied service papers, and research.