A fine Second World War 'immediate' 1943 Evader's D.F.M. group of five awarded to Halifax...

A fine Second World War ‘immediate’ 1943 Evader’s D.F.M. group of five awarded to Halifax rear gunner Flight Sergeant J. ‘Joe’ Sankey, 10 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was shot down over Germany after a losing fight with three Ju.88’s, 14 February 1943, and successfully made the torturous journey home out of Germany via the Netherlands, Belgium, France, over the Pyrenees and into Spain. Having survived a brush with a German spy, a faltering interview with French police, and an attack by German dive bombers on a ship out of Gibraltar - Sankey safely returned to the UK at the end of July 1943

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (119320. F/Sgt. J. Sankey. R.A.F.) suspension slack; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; with the recipient’s Caterpillar Club Badge, gold with ‘ruby’ eyes, reverse engraved 'Sgt J. Sankey’, mounted for display, generally very fine (6) £3,000-£4,000

---

Provenance: Ian Tavender Collection, Spink, April 2006 (when D.F.M. and Caterpillar Club Badge only)

D.F.M. London Gazette 7 September 1943 (jointly listed with Flying Officer’s R. Taylor and A. Hagan both for the award of the D.F.C.). The original recommendation states:

'Flight Sergeant Sankey was the rear gunner of a crew of a Halifax aircraft of No.10 Squadron which was detailed to attack Cologne on the night of 14th February 1943. On the way to the target, the aircraft was attacked by three Ju.88s. One they shot down but the Halifax was hit and immediately caught fire. The pilot gave the order to bail out. Flight Sergeant Sankey landed between Kempen and Crefeld. After walking some distance, a man was met, and Flight Sergeant Sankey eventually arrived safely back in this country (M.I.9/F/P.G.(-) 1324 refers). For the courage and initiative shown by this N.C.O. in making his escape, I recommend the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.’

Joseph Sankey was born in Blackpool, Lancashire in October 1920. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in October 1940. After initial training as an Air Gunner, and advancing to Sergeant, Sankey was posted to 10 Squadron (Halifaxes), Melbourne, Yorkshire in October 1942. He subsequently advanced to Flight Sergeant and flew in eight operational sorties as a Rear Gunner including: Genoa (2); Lorient; Minelaying, 9 January 1943, in Halifax II DG230 V, piloted by Sergeant Illingworth, ´Laid mines in area allotted at 1828 hrs from 900ft weather was heavy.... this aircraft was attacked by a JU88 from astern at 100 yards range. Hits were sustained which caused a hole in the starboard elevator, many holes in the fuselage, the trailing aerial was shot away.... Both gunners replied...... Safe landing at Pocklington´ (Squadron’s Operations Record Book refers); and on an attack to Cologne, 14 February 1943, Sankey took off from Melbourne at 1632 hours in Halifax II DT788 ZA - E, pilotted by Sergeant Illingworth, and was shot down by night fighters at 2020 hours, crashed near Velden (Holland).

The crew baled out, one was killed, five were taken prisoner of war and Sankey, ´was the last to leave the plane. I landed in a large garden somewhere between Kempen and Crefeld [Germany]. About a quarter of a mile away I saw our aircraft burning, and I think it was completely wrecked. I took off my parachute and Mae West and hid them in a wood. I then opened my aids box, transferred the contents to my pocket, and buried the box. I started walking in a North Westerly direction. About 0100 hrs (15 Feb) I came to a canal. I followed this until I came to a bridge, which I crossed. I then realised that the canal made a circuit, and was about to turn back on my tracks, when I saw a torch flash and a voice in English called out "Are you English? We are friends". I approached the voice, and found a young Dutch boy who had been sent to work on a farm in Germany. He had with him a companion of about the same age. They told me that our engineer, Sgt. King, was in a house nearby. This boy took me to his room at the farm where he worked, which was owned by some Germans. I produced the maps which I had taken from my aids box and he showed me my approximate position. He told me that he had a brother living on the other side of the frontier in a village which I believe to be Velden. He said he could not take me there, but would tell me how to reach the village. However, after I had given him my Irvine coat and 200 of the Dutch guilders which I found in my purse, he said he would take me there himself. We crossed the border at about 0300 hrs (15 Feb) almost due East of Velden. There was no control. He roused his brother and explained to him who I was. The boy seemed very scared and immediately went out to get other help. From this point my journey was arranged for me.´ (M.I.9 Debrief refers).

More detail is provided in Home Run, Escape From Nazi Europe by J. Nichol & T. Rennell, which was serialised in The Daily Mail in 2007, and gives the following:

‘There was a war on and to be young meant living in the moment, taking risks, daring all.

So when Miss Auriol Bannister and RAF Sergeant Joe Sankey danced the tango in their local ballroom, they squeezed out all its drama, intimacy and sexual innuendo. Other dancers on the floor stopped to watch in admiration.

Auriol, a 20-year-old stunner from Pocklington, Yorkshire, was a Ginger Rogers in the making. Men from the local air bases would queue to take her in their arms and stare longingly into her eyes in a glide across the floor.

But the longing in her eyes was for handsome, 25-year-old Joe, a rear gunner stationed at RAF Melbourne, not far from York. His dancing skills, polished at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool, were a match for hers, and they made a smashing couple, everyone agreed on that.

Everyone, that is, except Auriol's mother. She was certain it would end in tears.

For several months, whenever Joe was not flying, the couple went everywhere together, did everything together, threw caution to the wartime wind.

There were consequences. On a night out at the cinema on February 13, 1943, she tearfully whispered that she was pregnant.

Joe was quick to reassure Auriol he would stand by her. Their worry was what her mother would say. So they decided to meet at her Auntie Ivy's the next evening to discuss what to do.

He did not show up. On the afternoon of February 14, Valentines' Day, Joe was sent on a raid on Cologne. He didn't come back.

A German night fighter swooped in on his Halifax bomber as it made its run into the target. In the rear turret, Joe fired at the same time as the German.

"I know I hit him, but I also heard the thuds of his hits on us," he said.

The night fighter came in again, guns ablaze, and then a third time. "By then we were well alight, and the captain gave the order to jump."

Joe wriggled out of his turret, dropped into the void - and landed feet first in Germany. It was the worst situation any airman could find himself in. Unlike Belgium, France or Holland, there was no Resistance or escape line to help him. Capture seemed certain.

But Joe was lucky. Limping from an injured ankle and with blood running down his neck from an eardrum that had burst during his fall, he ran into a young Dutchman, one of the millions of forced labourers inside the Third Reich, who told him the border was nearby.

Joe gave him 200 Dutch guilders - the escape money every flier carried - and his flying jacket to guide him there. Once in Holland, he was hidden in local homes by the Resistance.

He was quizzed, as was usual, to ensure he really was English and not a G...