Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Path Finder Force D.F.C. group of four awarded to Pilot Officer J. N. Papworth, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nos. 83 and 582 Squadrons (No. 8 Group) P.F.F., who was killed in action on D-day when his Lancaster failed to return from operations against a Light Coastal Battery at Longues

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1943; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France and Germany; War Medal, these last three in their card box of issue addressed to his father, together with named condolence slip (Pilot Officer J. N. Papworth, D.F.C.), Air Gunner’s cloth wing and contemporary news cutting reporting award of the D.F.C., good very fine (4) £2500-3000

D.F.C. London Gazette 19 October 1943.

The recommendation states: ‘Warrant Officer Papworth has now completed 44 sorties, and all of these have been flown with the Path Finder Force. Throughout his tour he has shown himself to be a keen and efficient Air Gunner and is possessed of unfailing good humour. On one occasion when his aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter his skilfull directions enabled his Captain to carry out combat manoeuvres which resulted in the enemy fighter breaking off the engagement. His coolness on this occasion was commendable.

He has undertaken all his operational flights willingly and with great cheerfulness, and he is undoubtedly an asset to the squadron. He is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.’

Pilot Officer John Norris Papworth was killed in action on D-day, night of 5/6 June 1944, when his Lancaster NE 623 (D), of No. 582 Squadron (P.F.F.), failed to return from a bombing mission against a Light Coastal Battery at Longues, on the coast of France. He was 24 years old, the son of Frederick William Papworth, of New Eltham, London. His father had served in the Royal Flying Corps during the first World War.