A rare Second World War Airborne operations D.F.C. group of seven attributed to Lieutenant-Colonel B. H. P. Jackson, Glider Pilot Regiment, late East Surrey Regiment, a veteran of the airborne assaults on Normandy, Arnhem and the Rhine

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1945’; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; United States of America, Silver Star, the reverse engraved, ‘B. H. P. Jackson’, mounted as worn, good very fine (7) £2000-2500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards for the 1939-45 War.

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D.F.C. London Gazette 16 August 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘On 24 March 1945, this officer flew a Horsa glider during the airborne assault across the Rhine north of Wessel. Soon after release it was evident that the enemy smoke screen would make it extremely difficult to reach the desired landing area. Major Jackson, who was leading his squadron on to an important objective, pressed home to his allotted landing area. In spite of intense enemy fire and ground opposition, he landed his glider without casualties in the area briefed. This officer’s skill in the air and fine example to his men during the present operation and operations “Neptune” and “Market” has largely contributed to the high standard of flying throughout his squadron.’

U.S.A., Silver Star London Gazette 14 November 1947. The original recommendation for Arnhem states:

‘Major Jackson during the whole of the very severe fighting in the sector held by the unit showed a splendid spirit of fighting leadership. In spite of twice being blown from his trench by point blank fire from S.P. guns, he continued to encourage and inspire his men with pugnacious spirit and with complete disregard for personal safety set a magnificent example to all ranks. On 23 September, he was wounded again in the leg by a splinter. Despite these wounds he continued to show great unselfishness and refused to be evacuated. Major Jackson displayed great personal gallantry and his efforts were instrumental in holding a vital sector at a vital time.’

Mention in despatches London Gazette 22 March 1945.

Burton Henry Peter Jackson was born in November 1919, educated at Cheltenham and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the East Surrey Regiment in July 1939, direct from the R.M.C. Sandhurst. Having then seen active service with the B.E.F. in France in 1940, he became one of the first pre-war regular officers to join the newly formed Glider Pilot Regiment in February 1942, attending courses at Derby, Thame and Kidlington.

As is well-recorded in assorted airborne histories, he subsequently took command of E Squadron and participated in the Normandy operations in June 1944, the Arnhem operations in September 1944, and the Rhine operations in March 1944. On D-Day his squadron of 47 Horsa gliders conveyed the main body of the 1st Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles to a Landing Zone north-east of Ranville, while in the Arnhem operations in September 1944, his squadron had 40 pilots killed - although wounded in the fighting in the Oosterbeek perimeter, Jackson was able to make his escape by swimming the Rhine. He was mentioned in despatches.

Finally, in March 1945, he led his squadron into action at the crossing of the Rhine, landing his glider, laden with men from the 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Regiment, at Hamminkeln. He was awarded the D.F.C.

Jackson, ‘a determined officer with a great sense of humour’, transferred to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps after the War and was placed on the Retired List in the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in November 1969. He died in October 2006.

Sold with the recipient’s wartime service dress jacket and trousers, the former complete with medal ribands and gold wire and embroidered Glider Pilot Wings, but later King’s Crown buttons, and the latter with original Hawkes & Co., Savile Row label in the name of ‘B. H. Jackson, Esq., East Surrey Regiment, 5/1/40’; together with a Kent Sales catalogue, 11 June 1993, in which auction this collection first appeared.