Medals: a WWII Distinguished Flying Cross group of seven, to...

Hammer

£3,800

Medals: a WWII Distinguished Flying Cross group of seven, to Flight Lieutenant John Rosher Stirling Halford R.A.F.V.R 102147, of 247 squadron RAF; together with a photograph of Halford; various newspaper cuttings; and two signed coloured prints, one inscribed by the above.

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The Lady in the Lake - a sunken Spitfire - a Heritage crowdfunding project in York by David Daniells
This link is part of a crowdfunding page to raise a specific Spitfire from a lake. My father’s details are listed as one of the pilots that are recorded as flying this Spitfire.
John Rosher Stirling Halford RAFVR 102147
Born in Bulwell, Nottinghamshire, John joined the RAFVR in the winter of 1940. Following OTU at Grangemouth “Johnny” was posted to 19sq at Matlask, later Ludham, his arrival co-inciding with that of the Vb Spitfire replacing the Mk II. His first operational flight was on the 26 Oct 1941, a Blenheim bomber escort off the Dutch coast. He features regularly in the 19sq ORB, including AD377 The Lady in the Lake until the 30 April and his posting to Malta. Johnny flew off HMS Eagle in May to join B Flight in 185sq and his combats and victories are recorded in the squadron diary.
“On 8 May 1942 he flew a Spitfire off USS Wasp to Malta where he joined 185 Squadron. On 12th May he collided with another Spitfire whilst taking off in BR136 both pilots surviving unhurt. During a fight with Italian Re 2001 fighters on 2 June, his Spitfire BR285 was shot down and he ditched in Kalafrana bay, being rescued by a seaplane tender. He was promoted to Flight commander at the start of July and on 21 of that month was transferred to the new 1435 Squadron. He was flown out to Gibraltar during mid August, returning on HMS Furious on the 17th to assist in leading in a further reinforcementof of 32 Spitfires. He later flew a second tour with 274 Squadron, receiving a DFC, gazetted on 27 October 1944. The citation credited him with the destruction of four enemy aircraft. Those other Eagles – Christopher Shores
SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 20 AUGUST, 1943
ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE. GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH. The undermtd. are granted the rank of Sqn. Ldr. (war subs.): — Sqn. Ldr. (tempy.)
J. R. S. HALFORD (102147). 26th July 1943
SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 27 OCTOBER, 1944
Flight Lieutenant John Rosher Stirling HALFORD (102147), R.A.F.V.R., 274 Sqn. Flight
Lieutenant Halford is an energetic and fearless leader who has completed a very large number of operations with gallantry and determination. Among his successes is the destruction of 4 enemy aircraft
John survived the war and had a successful business career, filing a patent. He died in Somerset in 1989.
Appendix - AD377 Operations 19 Squadron RAF Ludham, Norfolk
02 Nov 41 Pilot Officer Halford Convoy Patrol
10 Dec P/O Halford Patrol
P/O Halford Dusk sweep
data.pdf
SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 27 OCTOBER, 1944
Flight Lieutenant John Rosher Stirling HALFORD (102147), R.A.F.V.R., 274 Sqn. Flight Lieutenant Halford is an energetic and fearless leader who has completed a very large number of operations with gallantry and determination. Among his successes is the destruction of 4 enemy aircraft.