Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War D.F.C. group of five awarded to Squadron Flight Lieutenant J. W. Erricker, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was decorated for his gallant deeds as a Bomb Aimer in Halifaxes of No. 78 Squadron in the summer of 1944

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1945’, with its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, together with a set of related miniature dress medals, good very fine (10) £1200-1400

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

‘This officer has now completed his first operational tour consisting of 39 sorties involving a total of 168 hours. As a Bomb Aimer he has shown great keenness and efficiency on operations. For his good operational record and devotion to duty, he is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.’

John William Erricker, who was born in January 1923, was educated at St. Marylebone Grammar School and took up appointment as a Clerk at the Air Ministry shortly before the outbreak of hostilities. In early 1942, he volunteered for aircrew duties and, having been trained in Canada, was commissioned Pilot Officer.

In April 1944, he was posted as a Bomb Aimer to No. 78 Squadron, a Halifax unit operating out of R.A.F. Breighton in Yorkshire, in which capacity he flew his first operational sortie on the night of 26th-27th. Over the next five months, he completed 39 operational sorties, 22 at night and 17 by daylight. Of those targets, one was in Belgium, six in Germany and the remainder in France; thus attacks on a coastal battery in Normandy, 12 railway stations, 12 V.1 and V.2 sites, a fuel depot and enemy troops formations on four occasions. Erricker was awarded the D.F.C. and ended the war with an appointment in 216 Group, Transport Command. He died on Armistice Day 2013, aged 90.

Sold with a family photograph album, approximately 90 original images, dating from the recipient’s childhood to the post-war era, and including a dozen or so pictures of R.A.F. wartime interest; together with R.A.F. Benevolent Fund receipt, confirming that the above described awards were left to the Fund by Squadron Leader J. W. Erricker, D.F.C., dated 16 June 2014.§