Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Acting Squadron Leader G. C. Wright, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, who was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1943 and subsequently, flying Mosquitoes with 605 Squadron, was credited with destroying 8 V-1 ‘flying bombs’ and probably destroying 2 more during the summer of 1944

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Fg. Off. G. S. Wright. R.A.F.V.R.) mounted as worn but lacking the A.F.C.; together with the six related miniature awards including an E.II.R. A.F.C. (and a full sized M.I.D. oak leaf), these mounted for wear, very fine (5) £800-£1,200

A.F.C. London Gazette 31 August 1943.

The recommendation states: ‘Flight Lieutenant Gordon Carlyle Wright (67031) No. 2 Flying Instructor’s School. (Total flying instruction hours 1746; completed during the last 6 months - 236) This flying instructor was posted to the school in January 1942 and has made a great impression by his ability and devotion to duty. He has been of the utmost assistance in the running of his flight and has shown great energy and cheerfulness in carrying out his duty’.

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1946.

Gordon Carlyle Wright was born in 1912 at Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire. Starting his career as a chemist, he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1937, gaining a commercial license in 1938. He was commissioned Pilot Officer on probation in the R.A.F.V.R. on 9 April 1941 and joined No. 2 Flying Instructor’s School the following January. Promoted Flying Officer on 19 April 1942 and Flight Lieutenant on 19 April 1943, he was awarded the Air Force Cross for his services as an Instructor during this period. His Air Efficiency Award was dated 20 April 1944.

Posted to 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Wright, with Flying Officer J. G. Insall as his navigator, flew the de Havilland Mosquito Mk. VI out of R.A.F. Manston during the summer of 1944. Flying night sorties over Kent and Sussex to counter the onslaught of V-1 Jet propelled bombs, he was credited with his first V-1 destroyed on the night of 16/17 June. The following night he was successful once more, submitting the following report:
‘Airborne Manston 2325 hours and commenced patrol off French coast near Le Touquet. At 2341 we attacked first Diver from 1000 yards flying at 320 mph. No results seen.
The 2nd was attacked from 600 yards with a 4 second burst flying at 2000 feet in scattered cloud. Strikes were very difficult to see owing to cloud and range. The diver lost height steeply and was lost in thickish cloud; almost immediately a flash lit up the cloud caused by either the diver exploding in the air or crashing into the sea.
At 0040 a 3rd was attacked from 800 yards and again from 500 yards sparks appeared from the tail end suggesting strikes and the flames seemed to increase in intensity. The Diver dived immediately almost vertically and fire disappeared. No explosion seen but as this attack was carried out about 10 miles from the shore and at 2000 feet it is claimed as destroyed.
A 4th was attacked from 700 yards in part cloud with a long burst, here we ran out of cannon. The diver immediately altered course about 30 degrees and as flak appeared in the distance in front of us we broke off to starboard - S/L flicked flicked on to the diver which seemed to hover in the beam and soon after exploded.
At 0047 we attacked a 5th with machine gun fire only from 250/200 yards and we were subject to a definite slip stream. No results seen although the Diver altered course to starboard diving into cloud.’

Wright and Insall were credited with 2 destroyed and 1 probable for their night’s work. Continuing in much the same vein over the next few weeks they destroyed their final V-1 on the night of 23/24 July 1944 resulting in a final tally of 8 destroyed and 2 probables. He was promoted to Acting Squadron Leader and was Mentioned in Despatches. Post-War he founded Wright Aviation (1945-1954) at Liverpool.

Sold with research including copies of many of the recipient’s flying reports; and a copy of the book Diver! Diver! Diver!, by Brian Cull.