Description
An Immediate Award Distinguished Flying Cross to 19 Year Old Flight Engineer Pilot Officer Donald Richard Metcalf. On a Mission to Stuttgart shortly after leaving the target area, two engines failed, and for a time the aircraft became uncontrollable. The Flight Engineer was found unconscious through an oxygen system failure, after first aid had been rendered and though extremely ill, Metcalf gave instructions that brought the engines back to life. By his expert handling he enabled the Bomber to be flown back to Britain comprising DFC, GVR, Officially dated 1945, privately engraved (Donald R. Metcalfe), 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, with France & Germany Clasp (Copy), 1939-45 War Medal all unnamed as issued, court mounted for wear, toned very fine.
DFC The London Gazette 20th Of February 1945
Distinguished Flying Cross
Donald Richard Metcalf (179390) R.A.F.V.R. 158 Squadron
DFC Reported in the Newcastle Journal of Tuesday 20th February 1945, page 3
Partly Unconscious Pilot Flew Bomber Home From Stuttgart, soon after his plane had bombed Stuttgart last March, Pilot Officer Donald Richard Metcalf’s oxygen supply failed and he lost consciousness, partly recovering the Bomb Aimer rendered first aid. Two of the engines had failed, but Metcalf, though extremely ill, gave directions which brough the engines back into service.
By expert handling he enabled the Bomber to be flown back to Britain. He is awarded the D.F.C. Pilot Officer Metcalf who is 19, was born at Gateshead and lives in Newcastle. He was educated at South Shields High School, and, after service in the ranks was commissioned in July 1944.
The Air Bomber was Pilot Officer William David Davies who was also awarded the DFC.
This Officer has taken part in many Operational Sorties. In March 1944 he was Air Bomber in an aircraft detailed to bomb Stuttgart. Shortly after leaving the target, two engines failed, and for a time the aircraft became uncontrollable. Pilot Officer Davies found the Flight Engineer [Metcalf] unconscious through failure of the oxygen supply. After rendering first aid to his comrade, he assisted him in bringing the engines into service again.
Also sold with the Group of 3 attributed to Metcalfe’s brother Sergeant Edward Roseby Metcalf also a Flight Engineer, of 432 Squadron, who was Killed in Action on the 26th of February 1944 when on a Mine Laying Operation his Halifax Bomber was shot down by a ME 110 Night-Fighter crashing south-west of Schleswig-Holstein. He is buried with his crew in Esbjerg Fourfelt Cemetery, Denmark comprising, 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, 1939-45 War Medal, the medals were apparently kept in a garage and are very heavily toned to a dark bronze.
Sold with copy extracts from newspapers, Copy ORB entries for 158 Squadron, Commonwealth War Graves Information, Copy photograph of Edward and copied photograph of his headstone.
