FLIGHT SERGEANT JOHN SKELTON D.F.M.

MEDAL FOR AIRMAN

The Distinguished Flying Medal has been awarded to Air Gunner, Flight Sergeant J. Skelton R.A.F. the son of Mr. H. Skelton of 8 Northfield Avenue, Englands Lane, Knottingley. Twenty-one years of age, Flight Sergeant Skelton has been in the R.A.F. for about two years. He was formerly a glass worker at Knottingley. The announcement of the award states that as an air gunner he has completed a successful tour of operations against most of the heavily defended targets in Germany and the more distant targets in Italy. Throughout he has displayed courage and fortitude of a high order and by valuable assistance given to his captain has played a large part in the many successes achieved. On a recent sortie when the nose of the aircraft was knocked off, despite intense cold of 40 degrees below zero, the fine team spirit, courage and determination displayed by this airman and his companions enabled the captain to fly the crippled bomber back to base. Sergeant Skelton has been home on leave this week.

'..gave his life to save mankind from tyranny.
May his sacrifice help to bring the peace
and freedom for which he died'

AIRMAN'S DEATH

The death is reported of Flight Sergeant John Skelton D.F.M., the son of Mr. H. Skelton of Westfield Road, Knottingley, and the late Mrs. Skelton. Flight Sergeant Skelton, who was 21, was reported missing last December when the crew of the aeroplane in which he was returning from a bombing mission had to bale out because of unfavourable weather. All the crew except Skelton were saved, but he, his father has been informed, was found dead in a field by a French peasant and is buried in Brussels.

Last April, Flight Sergeant Skelton was awarded the D.F.M, as a member of a crew which, by courage and determination, enabled the pilot to bring home, in a temperature 40 degrees below zero, a bomber which had its nose shot off. Before enlisting, he was a glass worker at Bagley's, Knottingley, and was educated at the Church of England School.

[Above] Newspaper reports depicting the above two events
[Below] A selection of mementos of Flight Sergeant John Skelton

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