Special Collections

Sold on 17 July 2019

1 part

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A Collection of Medals to Second World War Royal Air Force Casualties

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Lot

№ 715

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17 July 2019

Hammer Price:
£380

Three: Sergeant (Wireless Operator / Air Gunner) J. W. Morgan, 57 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action when his Wellington was lost without trace during a bombing raid on Duisberg, 21-22 July 1942

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45; together with the recipient’s Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book, and named Air Officer in charge of Records forwarding slip, nearly extremely fine (3) £400-£500

John Willoughby Morgan qualified as a Wireless Operator on 6 March 1941, and an Air Gunner on 11 October 1941, and served during the Second World War as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner with 57 Squadron, flying Wellingtons. He took part in his first operational sortie as the Front Gunner on 24 April 1942, and subsequently took part in the three 1,000 bomber raids, against Cologne on 30-31 May 1942; Essen on 1-2 June 1942; and Bremen on 25-26 June 1942; as well as raids on the Krupp’s works at Essen, Gennesvillers, Kiel, Heligoland and the daylight raid on Duisberg.

Morgan was killed in action on his 24th sortie when Wellington X3584, piloted by Sergeant T. Wakefield, disappeared without trace during a bombing raid on Duisberg on 21-22 July 1942. The aircraft was believed to have been bought down by very heavy flak. All the crew, including Morgan and Sergeant J. A. Wright, were killed.

Morgan is commemorated with the rest of his crew on the Runnymede Memorial.

Sold with a photograph of the recipient and copied research.

For the medals awarded to Sergeant J. A. Wright, see the following lot, Lot 716.