A Royal Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross awarded to a Flight Lieutenant who carried out his sortie, despite the loss of an engine to anti-aircraft fire, sold at Bonhams' sale of Coins, Medals and Banknotes on 18 December.
Hampshire-born John Edgar Percival Oxborrow's group of medals realised £6,110.
They included a Second World War D.F.C. group of five: a Royal Air Force, Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R. (dated 1944), a 1939-1945 Star, a France and Germany Star, a Defence Medal and a War Medal.
They sold with a trio of 1914-15 stars awarded to Oxborrow's father - "Pte P.C.Oxborrow. A.S.C." - along with miniatures and discharge scroll.
"One night in August 1944, Flying Officer Oxborrow piloted an aircraft on a mine-laying sortie. In view of the target, extremely skilled and determined flying was required," reported The London Gazette on October 17, 1944.
 The Distinguished Flying Cross |
"Despite heavy opposition and the added difficulty of combating searchlight defences, this officer pressed home his attack. On the mining run his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and one engine was put out of action.
"Undeterred, he continued the run and placed his mines in the correct position. He then brought his aircraft back to base without incurring further damage.
"Flying Officer Oxborrow has completed many operations against a wide range of targets and his skill and devotion to duty have set a fine example."
Flight Lieutenant John Edgar Percival Oxborrow was born on January 9, 1922 at Netley Abbey, Hampshire.
He joined No.44 Squadron (Rhodesia) in June 1944 based at Dunholme Lodge. He began his missions throughout the summer including Criel, Stuttgart, Givou, Bois de Cassan, Bordeaux, Givors.
His last raid was on 12th September where the plane took off from Dunholme Lodge at 19.03 and was reported to have crashed at 23.45 on the Gueter Bahnhof at Stuttgart. All the crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
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