WW2 RAF DFM GROUP TO FT. SGT (LATER P/O) T. J. GOSLING

Killed in Action Distinguished Flying Medal to 658167 Flight Sergeant, later Pilot Officer, Terence James Gosling, 40 Squadron, R.A.F.V.R.

A Second War ‘1943’ D.F.M. awarded to Wellington pilot, Flight Sergeant, later Pilot Officer, T. J. Gosling, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew in at least 40 operational missions with 40 Squadron -predominately low level attacks, on Italian targets, including the Brato Marshalling Yards, 11 November 1943, when ‘he came down to 20 feet and machine-gunned two vehicles on the Florence Autostrade.’

Pilot Officer Gosling was killed in action during a raid on Turin, 25 November 1943, ‘his body was recovered from the sea and identified by means of clothing and his flying log’.

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (658167. F/Sgt. T. J. Gosling. R.A.F.) mounted on investiture brooch. Very Fine. Have added other Medal entitlement of: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal and 1939/45 War Medal.

D.F.M. London Gazette 20 April 1945, the recommendation states: ‘This pilot has completed 40 operational sorties for a total of 240 hours on which he has shown skill and resourcefulness as a pilot combined with great courage and determination. During the whole of his operational flying, he has not returned from the sortie without having completed the duty for which he was detailed. On 25th August 1943, at Taranto marshalling yards, he successfully illuminated the target despite heavy opposition with the result that the raid was successfully accomplished by the bomber force. He has successfully illuminated other targets with the same satisfactory result. His bombing has been extremely accurate on very small targets due to his determination and great care to make accurate bombing runs despite any opposition that may be encountered. On 11th November 1943, after successfully bombing the Brato marshalling yards, he came down to 20 feet and machine-gunned two vehicles on the Florence Autostrade. During the whole of his time on this squadron, Flight Sergeant Gosling has shown great courage and determination which has resulted in a highly successful tour of operations.

Remarks by Air Officer Commanding: 'This N.C.O. throughout his tour has shown outstanding courage, determination and devotion to duty. He has been chosen on many occasions to carry out difficult tasks, all of which he has completed successfully. He is a shining example to his fellow crews, and I have no hesitation in strongly recommending him for this award.’

Includes named Buckingham Palace enclosure; Air Ministry letter confirming the whereabouts of the recipient’s burial, addressed to ‘T. Gosling, Flat 1, 4 Alexandra Drive, Liverpool’; two newspaper cuttings relating to recipient, including photographic images of him.

Code: 50154