A Collection of British Orders, Decorations and Medals (The Property of a Gentleman)

A fine Second World War Coastal Command D.F.M. awarded to Flight-Lieutenant Jack Featherstone, No 39 Squadron, R.A.F., an Air Gunner on Beaufort torpedo bombers whose strikes included one sortie on the Scharnhorst; he was later lost on a shipping patrol in the Skagerrak

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1255178 Sgt. J. Featherstone. R.A.F.) in named box of issue together with news cutting and photograph, extremely fine £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of British Orders, Decorations and Medals (The Property of a Gentleman).

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D.F.M. London Gazette 16 February 1943. The original recommendation states:

‘This N.C.O. has carried out 16 strikes against enemy vessels including one bombing sortie on the “Scharnhorst”. His crew have carried out 7 torpedo strikes in the Mediterranean when two merchant vessels and one tanker have been hit. During these torpedo strikes, he has damaged four enemy aircraft. His accurate shooting has assisted these torpedo strikes and his courage and devotion to duty during these torpedo strikes is worthy of the highest praise. He is an all round efficient N.C.O. who, by his skill and conduct under fire, has made a good reputation in his squadron.’

Flight-Lieutenant Jack Featherstone’s Halifax bomber was reported missing from a shipping patrol in the Skagerrak on 10-11 April 1945, the entire crew being presumed killed on 11 April 1945. The accompanying news cutting states: ‘Flight-Lieutenant Jack Featherstone was in the Channel battle and also took part in the bombing of the submarine lairs on the French coast and also was for 12 months in Malta through the siege. It was here that he won the D.F.M. and was given commissioned rank. He was educated at John Ruskin School and was in the employ of the Midland Bank at their Holborn Viaduct branch, from where he joined the R.A.F. Coastal Command in 1940. He was 24 years of age.’