Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

An early Second World War Hampden bomber operations D.F.M. awarded to Pilot Officer J. W. Corfield, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve: he was killed in action during the course of his second operational tour in July 1942

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (905817 Sgt. J. W. Corfield, R.A.F.), extremely fine £1200-1500

D.F.M. London Gazette 8 June 1941. The original recommendation states:

‘Sergeant Corfield has consistently shown excellent skill, determination and courage in the face of the enemy, both as an Air Gunner and as a Wireless Operator and has helped to ensure the success of his Captain. He has at all times shown the greatest keenness to take part in operations against the enemy. His work as a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner has been outstanding and his keenness and enthusiasm have been a fine example to all Wireless Operators / Air Gunners in the squadron.’

Jack William Corfield was decorated for his services in No. 83 Squadron - a Hampden unit operating out of Scampton, Lincolnshire - after completing a tour of 200 hours of operational flying and 30 sorties. During the period in question, in addition to a number of “Gardening” trips, he participated in a wide range of operations, including strikes against enemy capital ships at Brest on 3 April 1941 (in daylight) and the “Big City” on at least three occasions. He also flew in a low-level attack against a target at Wesseling on 19 December 1940, when his Hampden bombed from 1800 feet. Other major targets visited in his operational tour between October 1940 and April 1941, included Bremen, Cologne, Duisberg, Dusseldorf, Essen, Hamburg, Kiel (thrice), Mannheim and Wilhelmshaven.

Having received his D.F.M. at an investiture at Buckingham Palace on 28 October 1941, Corfield was subsequently commissioned as a Pilot Officer, and returned to his old squadron for a second tour of duty, just as it was converting from Manchesters to Lancasters. A likely veteran of the 1000 bomber raids against Cologen and Essen in May 1942, he was posted missing following a sortie to Duisburg on the night of 25-26 July. Aged 21 years, and a native of Maidenhead, Middlesex, Corfield is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.