Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War Air Bomber’s ‘Immediate’ D.F.M. awarded to Sergeant F. C. Bunclark, 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force, as also to the other six crew members of a Lancaster aircraft which, having completed its allotted mine-laying sortie in the Baltic, was severely damaged and set on fire by anti-aircraft fire and then attacked by enemy aircraft while crossing Denmark on the return home; the A.O.C. afterwards remarked, ‘It is almost inconceivable that any crew would have carried on for the four hundred mile sea crossing and land without further incident.’

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (657816 F. C. Bunclark. R.A.F.) toned, good very fine £1,800-£2,200

D.F.M. London Gazette 20 October 1942: Joint citation:

‘1162032 Flight Sergeant Paul CAMPBELL, No. 61 Squadron.
1390988 Sergeant Stanley Dennis GUNNELL, No. 61 Squadron.
1312943 Sergeant Ernest Humphries CORBETT, No. 61 Squadron.
657816 Sergeant Frank Charles BUNCLARK, No. 61 Squadron.
1268257 Sergeant Cyril Hugh COAKLEY, No. 61 Squadron.
1128846 Sergeant Sydney SMITH, No. 61 Squadron.
968521 Sergeant Stanley James THOMPSON, No. 61 Squadron.

These airmen were members of the crew of a heavy bomber [Lancaster] detailed for an operational mission one night in September, 1942; Flight Sergeant Campbell was captain and first pilot. The allotted task was completed successfully but, whilst on the return flight, the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. A shell exploded in the bomb compartment, starting a large fire and setting some flares and distress signals alight. Simultaneously, another shell burst in the nose of the aircraft, shattering the perspex as well as the major portion of the perspex of the pilot's cupola. The resultant rush of air through the aperture swept away all the navigational charts and maps and flung Sergeants Gunnell and Bunclark backwards on to the floor of the aircraft. Both suffered facial burns as did the pilot, the navigator, the wireless operator and the mid-upper gunner. The aircraft became full of smoke and it was attacked by 2 enemy fighters. The pilot could not see his instruments and the aircraft went out of control and fell 2,000 feet before Flight Sergeant Campbell regained control and evaded further attacks by diving and reaching cloud cover. Meanwhile the flames in the fuselage had extended, causing ammunition to explode in all directions. Despite this, Sergeants Corbett, Bunclark and Smith fought their way through the flames to the rear turret to extricate Sergeant Thompson who, despite suffering from a broken leg and being unable to operate his guns, had greatly assisted his captain by reporting the position of the attacking aircraft. Sergeant Coakley, in spite of his injuries, and with amazing skill in the circumstances, established wireless contact with base and continued to obtain bearings throughout the homeward flight. When this country was reached, Flight Sergeant Campbell, who had displayed fine captaincy, resumed the controls and landed the damaged aircraft safely with the undercarriage retracted and without the aid of flaps. Throughout this perilous flight, this gallant crew displayed conduct in keeping with the highest traditions of the Royal Air Force.’

Sergeant Bunclark’s individual recommendation dated 27 September 1942, states:
‘Sergeant Bunclark was Air Bomber to Flight Sergeant Campbell on the night of 24th/25th September 1942. When the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, one shell burst in the nose of the aircraft when Sergeant Bunclark was actually in the nose map-reading. The force of the explosion blew out the perspex of the nose and the resultant draught blew Sergeant Bunclark out of the nose of the aircraft back beside the pilot where he was deposited on the floor of the aircraft. He received considerable facial burns and shock but immediately proceeded to the scene of the main fire in the fuselage and assisted the Navigator and mid-upper gunner in fighting the fire. He also assisted in extricating the rear gunner from the tail turret and carrying him through the fire to the rest chair. He assisted the Navigator in checking the navigation and his efforts undoubtedly contributed to the safe return of the aircraft and crew. It is considered that Sergeant Bunclark displayed outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty and contributed greatly to the safe return of the aircraft and crew.

Remarks by A.O.C.
After having inspected this aircraft, I most strongly support this recommendation. It is almost inconceivable that any crew would have carried on for the four hundred mile sea crossing and land without further incident.’

Flight Sergeant Campbell was an experienced Pilot having completed 22 sorties and 138.55 flying hours, and Sergeant Gunnell, Second Pilot
had completed 6 sorties and 47.05 flying hours. For the remainder of the crew, however, this was only their second sortie, each having completed just 8.15 flying hours. Bunclark, Coakley and Corbett were amongst the crew of the Lancaster I ‘W4244’ of No. 61 Squadron, and flown by Pilot Officer Paul Campbell, D.F.M., which encountered extremely poor visibility on return from a sortie and following a misjudged approach to Exeter, crashed at Diamonds Farm, near Honiton on 11 November 1942, killing all seven crew. Sergeant F. C. Bunclark is buried in Lustleigh Church Cemetery.

Sold with copied research including individual recommendations for each of the seven D.F.Ms.