Fine 1940 DFM 40 Squadron (Blenheims) shot down and wounded, made ashore by dinghy where taken prisoner of war. Following six months in hospital was held in a series of camps until 1945 with photographic images of the recipient, a letter written whilst PoW

Distinguished Flying Medal, (GVI),

Sgt. G. A. McCreary. R.A.F.)

D.F.M. London Gazette 22 November 1940 (jointly listed for the D.F.M. with his pilot – Sergeant K. Newton):

‘Sergeant Newton as pilot and Sergeant McCreary as Air Gunner have carried out 20 operational flights as a crew. They have at all times displayed high qualities of courage and perseverance and have on many occasions completed several successive sorties without intervening rest. During the intense operations in June, they carried out 8 sorties in a period of 9 days and their example of willing resolution had a most beneficial effect on the squadron during a very trying period. They were shot down over enemy territory on 15th August, 1940, and have since been reported as prisoners of war.’

Gavin Allan McCreary was born in Slamannan, Scotland May 1918. An Auctioneer and Surveyor by occupation, McCreary joined the Royal Air Force in August 1939. He was posted to 104 (Training) Squadron at Bicester, before moving to 40 Squadron (Blenheims) at Wyton for operational flying as an Air Gunner. McCreary was crewed up with Sergeant K. Newton as his pilot, and together they flew in 20 operational sorties prior to being shot down, 15 August 1940. The Squadron Operations Record Book for this period shows them taking part in multiple bombing raids on on various aerodromes, troop concentrations and motor transport over France and the Low Countries.

McCreary was shot down and wounded whilst carrying out a raid on Chartes aerodrome, 15 August 1940:

‘Blenheim IV P4908. Aircraft was damaged by AA fire following a night attack on Chartres airfield (Eure-et-Loir) in France and ditched in the Channel several miles off Cherbourg out of fuel during the return flight early a.m. (16th). Crew all took to their dinghy and reached land over two hours later and were captured. 741545 Sergeant Kenneth Newton (Pilot) suffered a broken leg and dislocated shoulder and was admitted to the Hôpital Maritime in Cherbourg. 751941 Sergeant Frederick Miles Hotchkiss (Obs.) unhurt and 759153 Sergeant Gavin Allan McCreary (WOp/AG) wounded. Aircraft BL-R a write-off.

Due to his injuries Sgt. Newton was repatriated from Germany in October 1943.’ (AIR 81/1446 Casualty file refers)

McCreary’s wounds were severe enough to warrant hospitalisation in the Hohemark Hospital, Frankfurt from August 1940 – February 1941. Having recuperated from his wounds, McCreary was interned in Stalag Luft I, Barth, February 1941 – June 1942; Stalag Luft III, Sagan, June 1942 to 1943; Stalag Luft VI, Hydrekrug, June 1943 – August 1944 and Stalag 357, Fallingbostel, August 1944 – May 1945.

McCreary’s elder brother Thomas also served during the Second World War, and married a woman called Doreen Bloor whilst his younger brother was a POW. McCreary wrote a letter of introduction to Doreen whilst interned in Stalag Luft III, and the letter is included in the lot. During his short time there he also appeared in a group photograph of Scottish POW’s sent home to families, the image was published in 313 Days to Christmas, a human record of war and imprisonment by A. Mackay.

Sold with the following related items: POW letter written by recipient to future sister-in-law, whilst interned at Stalag Luft III; a photographic image of recipient with his brother – both in uniform; a copy of Handle with Care, A Book of Prison Camp Sketches by R. Anderson and D. Westmacott; and a copy of 313 Days to Christmas, a human record of war and imprisonment by A. Mackay containing a photo of the recipiennt whilst a prisoner.