Description
The Distinguished Flying Medal, George VI, edge officially engraved “758127 . SGT . G.R. HEPPELL . R.A.F.”.
A fine Second World War Coastal Command D.F.M. awarded to Flight Sergeant George Robert Heppell, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who saw several active engagements across his several hundred hours of operational flying, during one of which with great reaction speed put out a fire caused by enemy shots, saving his plane, and also who later earned a commission as Temporary Pilot Officer before tragically dying in a flight accident. Medal mounted for display, basically as issued, Extremely Fine.
The Distinguished Flying Medal, promulgated by the London Gazette dated 26th August 1941. The original citation reads:
“Sergeant Heppell joined 220 Squadron in September, 1940, and has completed over 200 hours operational flying with this unit. He has been in three air combats in two of which the enemy was destroyed. On 7th June, 1941 he was Navigator in a Hudson which attacked a JU. 88. He fired several bursts from the side guns until a bullet from the enemy aircraft struck a marine distress signal which exploded and started a fire which Sergeant Heppell dived at and managed to extinguish with his helmet. He has always shown considerable skill and devotion to duty both as Pilot and Navigator.”
Remarks by Station Commander:
“Sergeant Heppell undoubtedly saved the aircraft and enabled the engagement to be continued. Though inconclusive up to the time the engagement was broken off, the sighting of survivors by another aircraft leaves no doubt that the enemy was shot down n the sea. Recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.”
George Robert Heppell, the son of Mr George and Mrs Elizebeth Ann Heppell, was born in Newcastle upon Tyne on the 7th of May 1917 and was a clerk by occupation and the husband of Mrs Olive Heppell prior to his enlistment. On the 31st August 1939, George attested for the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve at his local enlistment centre in Newcastle and was assigned the rank Aircraftsman 2 and number 758127, with a mustering of untrained pilot, and was posted to the No 1. Initial Training Wing for basic ground training, then onto flight training at the No 10 Flight Training School and No 1. Operational Training Unit.
- Promoted Sergeant on the 1st September 1939
- Re-mustered as Pilot on the 16th August 1940 after ‘receiving his wings’
- Posted to 220th Squadron, Coastal Command on the 28th September 1940
- Promoted Temporary Flight Sergeant 1st May 1941
Whilst with the 220th Squadron, George had completed several hundred hours of active flying as both Pilot and Navigator, during which he was in three air combat situations, two of these ending in the enemy aircraft’s destruction. On the 7th June 1941, whilst as Navigator of a Lockheed Hudson, his airplane was hit with enemy fire causing a marine distress signal to explode – due to his quick reaction he extinguished the fire and saved the situation which undoubtedly would have downed his plane. The enemy aircraft which had landed these hits was subsequently downed, crashing into the ocean. For this action, his Station Commander recommended George the Distinguished Flying Medal on the 12th June 1941.
Several months later, during the investiture ceremony on the 7th November 1941, George was presented his D.F.M. at Buckingham Palace by King George VI.
- Posted to the No. 1428 (Hudson Training) Flight at RAF Oulton, Norfolk, as Flight Sergeant on the 27th December 1941
- Recommended for commission as Temporary Pilot Officer 16th February 1942
On the 6th of April 1942, whilst stationed at the No. 1428 Flight, George was killed during a flying accident as described below on the Aylsham Death Registry:
“Suffered a fractured skull when the aircraft he was flying struck a tree and crashed to the ground owing to an error on his part.”
He was buried at the Commonwealth War Grave section at Tyne (West Road) Cemetery, his headstone reads:
“In loving memory of My dear husband Pilot Officer George Robert Heppell D.F.M. Killed on active service 6th April 1942 Aged 24 years For ever in my thoughts.”
