DFC for sale

Kyt · Nov 23, 2008

Hero of the skies (From This is Hampshire)

HIGH over enemy territory Flight Lieutenant John Oxborrow from Netley wrestled with the controls of his aircraft and, with one engine shot away, he successfully pressed home the attack.

Despite being picked out by searchlights and in the thick of a storm of anti-aircraft shells, the pilot, educated at Taunton’s School in Southampton, pushed on to complete the dangerous mission and return safely to his Second World War base in England.

For this act of bravery, Flight Lieutenant Oxborrow was awarded the Royal Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), which, more than 60 years later, will go under the auctioneer’s hammer next month.

Sadly Flight Lieutenant Oxborrow did not survive the war.

He and the rest of his crew, were lost when their aircraft came down over Germany in September, 1944.

The DFC, which is expected to sell for £1,800 to £2,200, is among a total of five medals awarded to Flt Lt Oxborrow.

The London Gazette reported on October 17, 1944: “One night in August, 1944, Flying Officer Oxborrow piloted an aircraft on a mine-laying sortie.

“In view of the target, extremely skilled and determined flying was required. Despite heavy opposition and the added difficulty of combating searchlight defences, this officer pressed home his attack.

“On the mining run his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and one engine was put out of action.

Undeterred, he continued the run and placed his mines in the correct position. He then brought his aircraft back to base without incurring further damage.”

Flt Lt John Edgar Percival Oxborrow was born on January 9, 1922 at Netley, and was educated at Taunton’s School. He enlisted on June 6, 1941 and began flight training the following year.

He then continued his training in the USA at bases in Detroit and Florida before returning to the UK to fly Wellington Bombers. In June, 1944 he was posted to the RAF base at Dunholme Lodge, near Lincoln.

Flt Lt Oxborrow’s last sortie was on September 12, that year, when his aircraft took off from Dunholme Lodge just after 7pm and was reported to have crashed at 11.45pm over Stuttgart. The crew is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Together with his medals, personal papers and photographs will also be sold off by the auctioneers, Bonhams at their London salerooms on Thursday, December 18.
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Name: OXBORROW, JOHN EDGAR PERCIVAL
Initials: J E P
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 44 Sqdn.
Date of Death: 12/09/1944
Service No: 176017
Awards: D F C
Additional information: Son of Percival Coppen Oxborrow and Nellie Eva Oxborrow, of Southampton.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 203.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

Lancaster PB189/G of 44 Squadron on mission to Stuttgart

Tookoff at 19.03 from Dunholme Lodge. /G for H2S? Reported crashed at 23.45 on the Gueter Bahnhof at Stuttgart. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. F/O Macgregor was a Rhodesian.

F/L J E P Oxborrow DFC
F/O J R MacGregor (P2)
Sgt D A Cotter
F/Sgt D A C Hamilton
F/Sgt F A Murphy
Sgt N Mitchell
Sgt D Penton
Sgt J F C Halliwell

Antipodean Andy · Nov 23, 2008

It would be nice for the IWM or RAFM to get this or, at least, have it donated.

Nostalgair · Nov 23, 2008

I agree Andy.

Fortunately it seems that more and more generous philanthropists are taking this action.

Kerry Stokes in Australia is a fine example.

Cheers

Owen

liverpool annie · Nov 23, 2008

Nostalgair said: ↑

I agree Andy.

Fortunately it seems that more and more generous philanthropists are taking this action.

Kerry Stokes in Australia is a fine example.

Cheers

Owen
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I always get upset when I see medals like this for sale !! ....

I know I know they'll probably go to someone who will look after them ... but even so ..... :cry_smile:

Bonhams - Headlines

Antipodean Andy · Nov 23, 2008

Nostalgair said: ↑

I agree Andy.

Fortunately it seems that more and more generous philanthropists are taking this action.

Kerry Stokes in Australia is a fine example.

Cheers

Owen
Click to expand...

Yes, he's a shining light when it comes to Aussie VCs in particular.

John · Nov 23, 2008

It is a shame any military medals are sold. It is a part of the family history of the person who received the medals. I just hope they are not being sold by some relation who is trying to make a quick dollar out of the award.

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