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An exceptional Second World War D.F.C. group of six to Flying Officer J H Clay, R.A.F.V.R; a surv...

Currency:GBP Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,000.00 GBP
An exceptional Second World War D.F.C. group of six to Flying Officer J H Clay, R.A.F.V.R; a surv...
An exceptional Second World War D.F.C. group of six to Flying Officer J H Clay, R.A.F.V.R; a survivor of 46 operations & an N.C. O. Bomb-Aimer on No. 617 Squadron on the famous Dams Raid on 16/17th May, 1943.
Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.I.R; reverse officially dated '1944'.
1939-45 Star
Air Crew Europe Star
Italy Star
Defence & War Medals 1939-45, some repair work on D.F.C; others very fine or better. Mounted as worn together with a corresponding group of miniatures.
Sold with a very large archive of original documents, numerous photographs, telegrams (incl. one from Group Captain L Cheshire, V.C), signed menu cards from Dambuster Reunions, Buckingham Palace forwarding letter for the D.F.C; original D.F.C. case of issue, a signed copy of Operational Chastise - The Dams Raid (John Sweetman 1982), with correspondence between author & recipient. The book contains extensive mentions of the recipient & his aircraft which was being piloted by Flight Lieutenant J L Munro, RNZAF. Photocopies of Form 540 (Operational records of both 97 & 617 Squadron), letters from the Air Ministry & much more. Some years ago the medals were stolen & when recovered by the police the DFC had been vandalised. The DFC is Clay's original but it has been repaired on the reverse, the upper arm of which is privately engraved F/O J.H. CLAY, 617 Sqn.
D.F.C. London Gazette 30th June 1944 - Fg Off James Henry CLAY (15989) RAFVR, No 617 Squadron. Recommendation states: F/O Clay has completed 46 operational sorties as an Air Bomber. He has numerous aiming point photographs to his credit & his great efficiency as an air bomber is beyond question. He has been operating without rest since October 1942 & his keenness has been an example to all. Since joining a Special Duties squadron in March 1943 he has taken part in several low-level attacks against targets of the utmost importance to the enemy. He has always displayed the greatest courage & devotion to duty when his aircraft has been engaged by A.A. fire. His great calmness & gallantry in these circumstances, in addition to his marked efficiency as an air bomber have undoubtedly played a big part in the accurate manner in which he has always released his bombs. He is therefore strongly recommended for the award of the DFC.
Flying Officer J H Clay was born 2nd February 1911 & volunteered for aircrew service with the RAFVR. He joined No 97 squadron (Lancasters) for his first operational tour in October 1942 & by March 1943 had completed a full tour with raids on Berlin (3), Hamburg (4), Essen (3), Turin (3), St Nazaire, Munich etc. He was selected to join No 617 squadron, being formed especially for the Dams Raids & was asked by Flt. Lt. J L Munro to join his crew. On 16th May 1943 Munro's aircraft was the second to take off, being tasked to attack the Sorpe Dam & in its initial stages the operation passed without incident. However, flying low over Vleiland in the Zuider Zee the aircraft suffered severe damage from land based guns or a flak ship. The intercom was put out of action & all forms of communication with other aircraft in the wave were lost. A hole was torn in the fuselage amidships & the master compass unit demolished. To continue would
have been to jeopardise the safety of the mission & other aircraft. The pilot had no alternative but to abandon his attack & limp home. Total casualties were 8 aircraft out of 19 dispatched. Of the 133 crew members on the raid 53 were killed & 3 became prisoners of war. Wing Commander Guy Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross for this raid. Clay remained on No. 617 squadron, always flying with Munro until June 1944 during which time he took part in a further 13 low level, special target raids. He was commissioned as Pilot Officer on 17th November 1943 & later joined No. 14 O.T.U. for instructional duties. He left the service 3rd December 1945 & after a full career post-war in North East Building Societies he died on 5th August 1995 aged 84.
A SUPERB GROUP OF MEDALS WITH MUCH ASSOCIATED ORIGINAL MATERIAL. £2000
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