Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second War 1943 ‘Middle East’ Flying C.G.M. awarded to Wellington navigator, Sergeant J. P. McGarry, 70 Squadron, Royal Air Force, who crewed with Sergeant T. P. Petrie as his pilot, had already survived an engine failure on take off, and crash landing at 70 mph, a week before the pair’s heroics on the raid to Menzel Temime, 12/13 April 1943. During the latter, not only was their aircraft hit multiple times, but both McGarry and Petrie suffered shrapnel wounds to their legs - in the case of Petrie leading to the amputation of his leg. Despite the state of the aircraft, and indeed both pilot and navigator, the aircraft was nursed home - running out of petrol at the point of the landing some 300 feet above the airstrip. Petrie’s uninjured leg had been strapped to the controls in order for him to continue to fly, whilst McGarry had ignored his own wounds in order to administer to his pilot’s wounds, whilst navigating a course for home.

Both McGarry and Petrie were awarded the C.G.M., but Petrie’s wounds were to save his life. McGarry, having recuperated from his leg wound, returned to flying with his crew - only to be killed in action on a raid to Olbia Marshalling Yards, Tunisia, 2 July 1943

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying), G.VI.R. (1344057. Sgt. J. P. McGarry. R.A.F.) minor edge bruising; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, generally very fine (4) £6,000-£8,000

Christie’s, March 1986

C.G.M. (Flying) London Gazette 4 June 1943.
The original recommendation states: ‘This N.C.O. was Navigator of a Wellington detailed to attack an enemy landing ground on the night of 12/13 April 1943. The aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire approaching the target and again after the target had been bombed. The captain [Sergeant T. P. Petrie] was seriously wounded and Sergeant McGarry was wounded in the right leg by shrapnel. Despite personal injuries and with the aid of the Bomb Aimer and Air Gunner, he managed to get the captain from the cockpit and attended to his wounds. The Air Bomber took over the controls and McGarry, with great coolness, successfully rendered necessary first aid and administered morphine to the captain. Despite being fully employed tending his wounded pilot, he continued his Navigator’s duties and gave the Air Bomber the correct course to steer to avoid flying over the Tripoli defence zone. He successfully navigated the aircraft to base landing ground and, although given the option by the captain who returned to the cockpit, to bale out, decided to remain and take his chance with the captain. A successful crash-landing was made in the vicinity of the landing ground. McGarry, suffering from exhaustion, loss of blood and shock, realised the possibility of the aircraft caching fire and, with no thought for his personal safety, took his time to assist his seriously wounded captain from the wreckage. Sergeant McGarry displayed courage, coolness and fortitude of the highest order and his is strongly recommended for the immediate award of the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.’

Both McGarry and Petrie were awarded the C.G.M. for the above raid, and the following additional detail is provided in Bravery Awards For Aerial Combat, Stories Behind The Award of the CGM (Flying), by A. W. Cooper:
‘A number of men received Conspicuous Gallantry Medals for bravery during operations in the Middle East and in Italy during the period 1943-45. The first two such awards went to members of the same crew flying bomber ops in North Africa.

John Patrick McGarry was born in Romsey, Hampshire, in 1921. Prior to his R.A.F. service he had been a window dresser, a rather remote occupation from that of a navigator on 70 Squadron, flying Wellington bombers in the desert.

Before his C.G.M. operation he had quite a scare after taking off from Gardabia West, in Libyia, en route for Mahares. They had to return when their port engine cut just after take-off, always the worst possible time for this to happen. The bombs were jettisoned within two minutes of becoming airborne and they crashed at a speed of 70 mph. The aircraft was completely burnt out but the crew had only slight injuries, which shows the skill of their pilot, Sergeant Petrie.

Thomas Parker Petrie, aged twenty-nine, was from Dundee, Scotland. Just one week after this hair-raising experience, Petrie, with the same crew, took off in Wellington HF753 DU-O, for Menzel Temime, an enemy landing ground. The date was the night, 12/13 April 1943.

On the run-up to the target they were hit by A.A. fire. Despite this, Petrie kept on course and released a stick of bombs across the target. Immediately they were hit again and the Wellington went into a steep dive. Petrie had been badly wounded and his left foot had been almost severed, while Sergeant McGarry, too, had been wounded in the right leg by shrapnel. Petrie got the aircraft back under control, but then the bomb aimer, Sergeant [G. H.] Bennett, helped by Sergeant [G. A.] Smith, the rear gunner, and McGarry, got Petrie out of his seat and gave him first aid. Bennett took over controls while McGarry, still trying to make Petrie as comfortable as possible, continued to navigate, giving the bomb aimer the correct course to steer in order to avoid flying over enemy-held Tripoli.

When they got near their own base, Petrie gave the crew the chance to bale out but they decided to carry on and attempt a forced landing. Sergeant Petrie was helped back into his seat. To do this, part of the cabin was cut away and once in position, his right, un-injured leg, was strapped to the rudder bar. As he came into land at a height of 300 feet, their petrol ran out, yet he made a successful crash landing.

By this time McGarry was suffering from exhaustion and loss of blood plus shock which set in quickly once the immediate danger was over. All escaped further injury, but the next day the gallant Petrie had his left leg amputated. Both men were recommended for the C.G.M. on 19th April.

Sergeant McGarry went on to fly again but on 2nd July, his aircraft was reported missing after an operation to Kairouan Temmari in Tunisia. A Wellington was seen shot down 3 and half miles south of Olbia, which would have been near the target area of the Olbia marshalling yards. He has no known grave, but his name is remembered on the Malta Memorial, Panel 9, Column.’

McGarry was educated at Taunton College, and is also commemorated on their war memorial. Both Bennett and Smith were also killed during this operation.

Sold with photographic image of the recipient.

Sold together with the following family medals

Three: Sergeant F. McGarry, Hampshire Regiment
1914-15 Star (10957 Cpl F. McGarry. Hamps: R.) second digit officially corrected; British War and Victory Medals (10957 Sjt. F. McGarry. Hamps. R.) generally very fine

Francis James McGarry was the father of the above, and the husband of Lily McGarry. He served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment in the Egyptian theatre of war from 12 December 1915. McGarry was discharged, 16 June 1919 (entitled to Silver War Badge).