John Copley joined the RAF in July 1935 as a Flight Rigger, becoming a Flight Rigger/Air Gunner in July 1938.
During 38 Squadrons first operational flight of the war, bombing enemy ships off Helgoland on 3rd December 1939, the aircraft that LAC Copley was rear gunner in was attacked from astern by an Bf. 109, Copley was able to fire two bursts at point blank range, (200yards) and saw the fighter climb sharply and stall, falling out of control out of the sky into the sea.
On landing the Wellington bomber back at base in RAF Marham the aircraft ground looped due to the punctured port wheel, in the Wellington rear turret wings hanging in strips, and punctured petrol tank, all crew were evacuated quickly.
When LAC Copley landed he found a German machine gun bullet lodged in the quick release box of his parachute buckle just touching his flesh.
This he saved to remind him of how lucky he had been, it is now on show in The Yorkshire air Museum, Elvington . Yorks. With his DFM and other items of interest.
It was during 1941 that the aircraft Copley was in was shot down, and his family were informed he was missing believed dead. However Copley had survived, spending the war as PoW.
At the end of the war he returned to his family running a garage repair shop and petrol station in his home village.
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