A Second World War Path Finder’s D.F.M. group of five awarded to Flight Sergeant N. Thorn, Royal Air Force, who was decorated for a tour of operations as a Flight Engineer in Lancasters of No. 156 Squadron in the period August 1944 to April 1945 - namely a total of 43 operational sorties including the ‘firestorm’ attack on Dresden in February 1945

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1593865 F./Sgt. N. Thorn, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, together with the recipient’s Path Finder Force Badge, and an R.A.F. cap badge, generally good very fine (7) £1700-1900

D.F.M. London Gazette 23 November 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘Flight Sergeant N. Thorn has completed 43 operational sorties, 23 of which have been with the Path Finder Force. This N.C.O. is a reliable and efficient Engineer who has shown commendable zest and determination in his work in this Squadron. He is resourceful and keen and has been an asset to his crew. Flight Sergeant Thorn has shown enthusiasm, loyalty and devotion to duty of a high order and I recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.’

Norman Thorn commenced his operational tour as a Flight Engineer in No. 156 Squadron (P.F.F), a Lancaster unit operating out of R.A.F. Upwood, in August 1944, when he participated in the first of a dozen or so sorties against French targets in the period leading up to October, including four trips to Calais. Thereafter, until the completion of his tour in April 1945, his targets were of the German variety, including Cologne, Hamburg and Stettin, no less than five trips to Essen and, on the night of 13-14 February 1945, one of the ‘firestorm’ raids on Dresden.