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Warrant Officer John James Copley D.F.M. 52125
38 and 7 Squadron R.A.F

15th December 1939
His Majesty the King on recommendation of the Commander in Chief has made immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal to L.A.C Copley no 38 Squadron.

The first bombing of World War 11 on Germany by Wellington bombers.

On the 3rd December 1939. 24 Wellington bombers from 38-115-149 squadrons attacked German warships off Heligoland, Germany. Hit鈥檚 were made on a cruiser and armed trawler during the raid.
During the raid 38 squadron Wellington Captain, Pilot Officer E.ET.Odore ( later Group Captain D.F.C -A.F.C.) strayed away
from the main formation and was attacked by German fighters. The Aircraft was liberally peppered with bullets and cannon shells, some of which penetrated the port engine tank and cylinder. Unknown to the crew it slashed the port undercarriage

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Born in 1912 John entered the RAF in July 1935 as ACH/Mate later in the year gaining the rank of AC2. He was trained firstly as Flight Rigger and was posted to 38 Squadron at Mildenhall 17th July 1936, becoming an AC1 31st December 1936.
He arrived at the newly opened Marham Aerodrome with 38 Squadron on 5th May 1937. His personal diary for 1937 documents this event, and gives some details of training and night flights
He became Flight Rigger Air Gunner on 19th July 1938, promoted to L.A.C. 31st December 1938.

During 38 Squadrons first operational flight of the war, bombing enemy ships off Helegoland on 3rd December 1939, the aircraft that LAC Copley was rear gunner in was attacked from astern by an Me. 109, Copley was able to fire two bursts at point blank range, (200yards) and saw the fighter climb sharply and stall, falling out of control out of the sky into the sea.
On landing the Wellington bomber back at base in RAF Marham the aircraft ground looped due to the punctured port wheel, in the Wellington rear turret wings hanging in strips, and punctured petrol tank, all crew were evacuated quickly.

When LAC Copley landed he found a German machine gun bullet lodged in the quick release box of his parachute buckle just touching his flesh.
This he saved to remind him of how lucky he had been, it is now on show in The Yorkshire air Museum, Elvington . Yorks. With his DFM and other items of interest.

The Distinguished Flying Medal citation appeared in the London Gazette of 2nd January 1940. The DFM was presented to him at RAF Feltwell on 20th March 1940.
LAC. J.J. Copley DFM name is first on the Honours board in Marham today. ( photos included)
To pay honour to their local hero the village people of South Hiendley, Barnsley South Yorkshire, presented him with a gold inscribed pocket watch. Mr A F C Assinder New Monkton colliery manager performed the presentation in Felkirk Church village hall. John had worked at New Monkton colliery before joining the RAF.

On 27th July 1940 Copley was posted to 15 OUT at Harwell, to 214 Squadron at Stradishall, form there to 7 Squadron at Oakington Cambridgshire. 30th October1940 Promoted to Sergeant, 31st December 1940, 7th May 1941 he became Flight Engineer.

It was during 1941 that the aircraft Copley was in was shot down, and his family were informed he was missing believed dead. However ,John ( Jack ) had survived and here starts the next part of the story.

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