Flight Lieutenant Derrick John D’Alton, D.F.C.

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Flight Lieutenant Derrick John D’Alton was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

This officer has taken part in numerous operational missions, a number of them in the Middle East. As gunnery officer his work has been outstanding, while his keenness to participate in operations whenever possible has set an excellent example. On one occasion over Benghazi, his aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters. Two of the bomber’s engines were put out of action, the hydraulics were rendered unserviceable and the intercommunications became useless. Displaying great coolness Flight Lieutenant D’Alton gave his captain evading directions which enabled him to fly clear of the attackers. On the homeward flight, about an hour later, the aircraft was attacked by another enemy fighter. Once more, Flight Lieutenant D’Alton’s commentary on the attacker’s movements enabled his pilot to evade the fighter and fly on to base. This officer has always displayed great technical skill. He has suggested tactics in gunnery and formation flying which have been adopted and have resulted in the destruction of at least seven enemy fighters.

Flight Lieutenant D’Alton was born in 1911 at Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny, and his home is at Cambridge. He enlisted in the R.A.F.V.R. as observer under training in 1939 and was commissioned in 1940.

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