HughAHalliday
12th February 2022, 12:52
MOTTRAM, John Charles, Sergeant (3040099) No.33 Squadron - Distinguished Flying Medal - awarded as per London Gazette dated 13 March 1951, “in recognition of distinguished service in Malaya.” Information from Spink Catalogue, 20 April 2006. The recommendation states:
Hours flown on Malayan Operations, 303. Sergeant Mottram joined No.33 Squadron when it moved from British Air Forces of Occupation to Far East Air Force. During the last fifteen months, he has developed into a first class pilot and a reliable section leader and has, on three occasions, carried out successful emergency landings without damage to aircraft. He has flown 76 hours on strictly operational commitments and taken part in 68 anti-bandit strikes. This non-commissioned officer has done very excellent work whilst serving with No.33 Squadron in Malaya. Operations in this campaign involve hazardous flying over mountainous and jungle covered country frequently in adverse weather. He has proved himself a skilful and courageous pilot.’
Started training at 15 Elementary Flying Training School (Kingstown, Carlisle,), 14.8.1944 and continued training in Harvards and Tempests until his first posting to 26 Squadron, Gutersloh, Germany, 18.3.1949, posted to 33 Squadron and served with them at bases including Changi, Singapore; Butterworth, Malaya; Kai Tak, Hong Kong; Kuala Lumpar, Malaya and Tengah, Singapore as a Section Leader in Squadron Leader Furses’ Tempest Fighter-Bomber Squadron during the ‘Malayan Emergency’ he left 33 Squadron 24.4.1951, having taken part in 94 strikes, three convoy patrols and having flown 121 hours of operational flying. Mottram went on to serve as a Flight instructor until 23.3.1954.
Hours flown on Malayan Operations, 303. Sergeant Mottram joined No.33 Squadron when it moved from British Air Forces of Occupation to Far East Air Force. During the last fifteen months, he has developed into a first class pilot and a reliable section leader and has, on three occasions, carried out successful emergency landings without damage to aircraft. He has flown 76 hours on strictly operational commitments and taken part in 68 anti-bandit strikes. This non-commissioned officer has done very excellent work whilst serving with No.33 Squadron in Malaya. Operations in this campaign involve hazardous flying over mountainous and jungle covered country frequently in adverse weather. He has proved himself a skilful and courageous pilot.’
Started training at 15 Elementary Flying Training School (Kingstown, Carlisle,), 14.8.1944 and continued training in Harvards and Tempests until his first posting to 26 Squadron, Gutersloh, Germany, 18.3.1949, posted to 33 Squadron and served with them at bases including Changi, Singapore; Butterworth, Malaya; Kai Tak, Hong Kong; Kuala Lumpar, Malaya and Tengah, Singapore as a Section Leader in Squadron Leader Furses’ Tempest Fighter-Bomber Squadron during the ‘Malayan Emergency’ he left 33 Squadron 24.4.1951, having taken part in 94 strikes, three convoy patrols and having flown 121 hours of operational flying. Mottram went on to serve as a Flight instructor until 23.3.1954.