The following has been submitted by Simon Glancey:

John 'Jack' Spedding was born in Ashington on April 6th 1912. He was a pupil at Morpeth Grammar School, and then a student at Durham University’s University College.

After the outbreak of the Second World War, he joined the R.A.F. in May 1940. After a period as an instructor at Brize Norton, he joined 109 Squadron in May 1944 flying Mosquito bombers. The Squadron was part of the R.A.F.’s Pathfinder Force, identifying and marking targets for Bomber Command’s heavy bombers.

Amongst the many missions he flew were operations supporting the D-Day landings, attacks on V-1 and V-2 sites and missions against the German secret weapons facility at Peenemunde. For his gallantry, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross in March 1945, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in October 1945. He served with 109 Squadron until May 1945, when he joined 162 Squadron until he was demobbed in October 1945. He had amassed over 2,300 flying hours during the war.

After the war, he returned to the family business - a sub-post office, newsagent and wholesale news agency in Ashington, which distributed papers to the whole of Ashington and beyond. He was also secretary-treasurer of the Durham Castle Society, (also known as the Castlemen’s Society), for University College alumni. He retired in 1979, and died in July 1982. He was buried in Mitford Churchyard.

His D.S.O. citation appeared in Flight magazine on December 20th 1945:

“This officer has completed two tours of operational duty. For the majority of his sorties he was engaged on target marking duties in attacks directed against vital and strongly defended industrial targets in the Ruhr or in the Ludwigshaven and Gotha areas. He has a fine record of successes. Flt. Lt. Spedding has also been in command of a flight, and by his fearless leadership, determination and unswerving devotion to duty, he has set an inspiring example to all under his command.”

With thanks to Richard Spedding.