Three: Sergeant (Air Gunner) J. D. Scott, 149 (East India) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action when his Stirling was shot down over the target area whilst on a bombing raid to Mannheim, on 18-19 November 1943

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, with Buckingham Palace enclosure named to ‘Mrs. R. Scott’, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mrs. R. Scott, 255 Cumberland Street, Glasgow, C5, Scotland.’, extremely fine (3) £360-£440

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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James Davidson Scott served during the Second World War as an Air Gunner with 149 (East India) Squadron, then based at R.A.F. Lakenheath, and flew his first operational sortie on 11-12 November 1943, dropping sea mines off the north west coast of France.

Scott was killed in action when Stirling EH903, piloted by Flight Sergeant R. L. L. Smith, was shot down whilst on a bombing raid to Mannheim, on 18-19 November 1943. Either hit by flak or most likely shot down by a night fighter, the aircraft crashed in the target area. Scott (the Mid Upper Gunner) and another air gunner were killed; the rest of the crew bailed out and were taken Prisoner of War. A letter (included with the lot) written to the recipient’s mother by the aircraft’s Wireless Operator, Pilot Officer Albert Sharrock, who survived and was taken Prisoner of War, states:
‘Dear Mrs. Scott, I received your letter a week ago and am most sorry indeed to hear the sad news of your son James. He did everything that was required of him on the trip magnificently, and you can be proud to know that he did his duty without thought of personal danger. Regarding the actual circumstances at the time we were shot down I’m afraid I cannot give you any details, but I have every confidence that he was able to bale out... May I extend my sincerest condolences to you in your loss and express the hope he will not have made the greatest sacrifice in vain.’

This raid was the major diversionary raid from the resumption of the ‘Battle of Berlin’. 395 aircraft were sent to bomb Mannheim. German night fighter successfully engaged the main bomber stream shooting down 23 aircraft. The Daimler Benz car factory suffered catastrophic damage on this raid.

Scott is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. His medals were sent to his mother, Mrs. R. Scott.

Sold with original telegram to the recipient’s mother, informing her that her son was Missing in action; three Air Ministry letters regarding the recipient’s death; British Red Cross letter; hand-written letter to the recipient’s mother from Pilot Officer Albert Sharrock; and named Buckingham Palace enclosure; and copied research.