Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘1943’ D.F.C. group of six attributed to Stirling Wireless Operator, Flight Lieutenant J. A. Emery, Royal Canadian Air Force, who flew in two tours with 7 Squadron, the majority of operations being as part of Pathfinder Force, before being shot down and taken P.O.W., 24 June 1943. He was imprisoned at Stalag Luft III when the ‘Great Escape’ took place

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1943’, and additionally privately engraved ‘F\Lt. J. A. Emery.’, in Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with Overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, campaign medals mounted for wear, toned, generally very fine or better (6) £1,200-£1,600

D.F.C. London Gazette 9 February 1943, the original recommendation states:

‘This officer has carried out 26 operational sorties as Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and Air Bomber. During thirteen of these he has been engaged on Pathfinder Force duties. He is an excellent member of an aircrew and his coolness and determination are an inspiration to the rest of the crew. His conscientious efforts to press home attacks on the aiming point detailed, despite heavy opposition, has resulted in many successes. He has always carried out his duties in a most exemplary manner.’

Joseph Arthur Emery was born in Dorchester, New Brunswick, Canada, in November 1921. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at Moncton in June 1940, and after initial training was posted to the UK. Emery was posted as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner for operational flying with 7 Squadron (Stirlings), at Oakington. He flew in at least 26 operational sorties with the Squadron, between June - December 1942, including: St. Nazaire (2); Bremen (3); Lubeck; Vegesack; Duisburg; Hamburg; Dusseldorf; Osnabruck (2); Flensburg; Frankfurt (2); Karlsruhe; Krefeld; Cologne; Genoa; Turin (6) and Mannheim.

The Squadron transferred to Pathfinder Force in October 1942, and as such 11 of the above were flown in that capacity. Emery advanced to Flight Lieutenant, and was shot down in a Stirling piloted by Wing Commander R. G. Barrell, D.S.O., D.F.C. and Bar, 24 June 1943. The aircraft took of for a raid on Wuppertal, ‘2321 Oakington. Shot down by a night-fighter (Oblt Raht, II./NJG3) and crashed 0025 some 4km E of Rilland (Zeeland), Holland. W/C Barrell, who was 23 years old, killed when his ‘chute failed to deploy....’ (Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War refers).

Of the crew of seven, three were killed, one evaded capture and three were taken prisoner of war. Emery was one of the latter, and an article published in Readers Digest in January 1991 gives the following:

‘June 1943: The R.A.F. and the R.C.A.F. are making regular nightly assaults on German industries and cities, and 7 Squadron has become part of the pathfinder force, an elite group created to stake out target areas for later arrivals. Joe Emery is now a flight lieutenant, and a winner of the Distinguished Flying Cross. By now he has flown something like 70 missions, an astonishing figure when a man can feel fortunate to survive a 30 mission tour.

But one night a German fighter shoots his bomber down just as they’re coming in over Holland. Joe parachutes into damp soil near the coast. For four days he heads south through low-lying polder country. Then German soldiers in a passing truck spot him, and he ends up in Stalag Luft III, a prison camp for airmen....

In the darkness of March 24 what will become known as the Great Escape sends 76 Allied airmen scurrying out a tunnel from Stalag Luft III. Only three eventually make it to freedom. The others are recaptured. On Hitler’s orders, 50 of them are shot. Joe Emery shares the anger and grief, but he knows he is lucky he didn’t get the chance to go...

Winter 1945: As the Russian advance continues, the Germans march thousands of war prisoners westward. Run-down, cold, hungry, dirty, they grub for food, shelter, sleep, survival. Joe Emery finally makes it to a camp near Lübeck on the Baltic coast.’

Emery was repatriated in 1945, and in later life was employed on the Montreal Gazette for 26 years. He retired to Dewittville, Quebec.

Sold with copied research.