Edwards, James Keith O'Neill

Date of birth:: March 23rd, 1920 (Barnes/London, Great Britain)
Date of death:: July 7th, 1988 (London/England, Great Britain)
Service number:: 123886
Nationality:: British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

His Dakota was shot down at Arnhem in 1944, resulting in his sustaining facial injuries requiring plastic surgery—he disguised the traces with the huge handlebar moustache that later became his trademark. He was a member of the Guinea Pig Club.
He was most common known under his artist name Jimmy Edwards, British radio & TV comedy actor.

He also received the King George V Jubilee Medal (1935) for services as a chorister at St. Paul's Cathedral.

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flight Lieutenant
Unit:: No. 271 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: February 2nd, 1945

Recommendation:
"Flight Lieutenant Edwards has shown determination and initiative in carrying out Airborne Operations with this Unit [No. 271 Squadron, 46 Group Transport Command].

On one of the glider tugging missions on 17/18 September his glider got into difficulties in cloud, and when they emerged above the cloud, it was found that the towing cable was caught round the front wheel of the glider. Flight Lieutenant Edwards, as Captain of the combination, did not let the Glider Pilot cast off as he would have been justified in doing, but after consultation over the inter-com with the Glider Pilot he throttled back until there was sufficient slack in the cable for it to come loose. He then gradually opened up again and succeeded in taking up the slack without parting company with the glider.

On 21 September, Flight Lieutenant Edwards was detailed for a re-supply mission over the Arnhem area. This he carried out successfully in spite of considerable opposition from the ground. After making the drop he climbed rapidly to 7,000 feet and was on his reciprocal course for base when he saw fighters on his port side. Before he could identify them he was attacked from the rear and strikes were obtained on the fuselage and wings. He also saw flak bursting in front of him which may have been fired from the ground. He took suitable evasive action and was then again attacked from the port side. Taking violent evasive action he was able to avoid the cannon fire from this attack and made for the cloud cover. The clouds unfortunately were broken and too far apart. When in the open again he was then attacked from beneath and astern and more strikes were obtained. Three of four attacks were made in a rapid succession, hits being obtained in each case in spite of violent evasive action directed by the Wireless Operator from the Astro Dome.

Flight Lieutenant Edwards now found the elevator trimmers unserviceable and he lost aileron control; his height was 6,000 feet and he gave the order to bale out. The Co-pilot and Navigator jumped out, but three of the Despatchers were wounded. The Wireless Operator and the fourth Despatcher remained in the aircraft to help them. At this time both engines had caught fire and both airscrews went into the fully fine and lost power.

Flight Lieutenant Edwards put the aircraft into a dive to maintain speed and levelled off at 100 feet and gave the order 'stand-by for crash landing'. He opened the escape hatch above his head which caused the flames which had now got a good hold in and outside the fuselage to come forward to the First Pilot's position. The heat was so intense that Flight Lieutenant Edwards had to get his head and shoulders out of the escape hatch and suceeded in crash landing the Dakota with one hand on the controls, after which it immediately went up in flames.

Flight Lieutenant Edwards who was burnt on the face and arm then led the Wireless Operator who was unhurt, and the Despatcher who suffered from flesh wounds, to the cover of some small trees as the enemy aircraft was circling and did in fact attack them again whilst they were in hiding. He then led the party in a southerly direction where they made a successful evasion with the help of some civilians and language cards.

There is no doubt that Flight Lieutenant Edwards stuck to his controls under almost unbelievably difficult conditions, although he could have bailed out, because he well knew that he had three wounded Despatchers and two of his crew still aboard the aircraft.

Although this is his first operational Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Edwards has shown marked enthusiasm throughout the training and especially in the operations in which he has taken part. His devotion to duty and consideration for others have always been apparent, and were shown to a marked degree in the period of severe stress to which he has been subjected. His perseverance and leadership under adverse conditions are worthy of the highest praise".