A 617 SQUADRON CASUALTY GROUP TO WIRELESS OPERATOR JAMES STEVENSON SIMPSON

A 617 SQUADRON CASUALTY GROUP TO WIRELESS OPERATOR JAMES STEVENSON SIMPSON who trained for Operation Chastise, and was killed on Operation Garlic. 1939/45 Star Atlantic Star Defence Medal War Medal In the box of issue addressed to Mrs J B Simpson, 3 Castleoan, Bo'Nees, W. Lothian, Scotland. With pendant depicting an anchor, possibly gold. No condolence slip is present. Condition VF+ James Stevenson Simpson (630257) was born in Bo'ness Scotland on 8th September 1920. He joined the Royal Airforce at Cardington on 5th January 1939. Qualifying as a Wireless operator. Simpson was a member of No.50 Wing RAF, which was the Army Cooperation Wing, operating Westland Lysanders from No4, No13 and No16 Squadrons. In the book ' The Men Who Breached the Dams', by Alan W, Cooper it is noted he was at Dunkirk in May 1940. It is believed that Simpson was flying Air-sea rescue missions and qualified for the Atlantic Star and later the Aircrew Europe Bar. Simpson was with 613 Squadron from May 1940 until January 1942 when he joined No.2 Signal School. He wouldn't return to an operational unit until joining 57 Squadron in February 1943. He was then posted to the famous 617 'Dambuster' Squadron on 10th April 1943. He is listed as having trained for Operation Chastise and was selected to take part. However, his Pilot, Sergeant William George Divall suffered a Knee injury before the raid, and the crew was unable to participate. Simpson along with Divall and the rest of the crew would sadly be killed in action during Operation Garlic on 16th September 1943. The operation was the bombing of the Dortmund-Ems Kanal. Their aircraft was believed to have been hit by flak and crashed near Bramsche, Germany. Simpson was buried in Reichswald Forest Cemetery.