The story of RAF hero Jack Copley, DFM

By his daughter Kathleen Copley.

Jack was born in Yorkshire in 1912. Few customers entering the garage he ran after World War II had any idea they were dealing with a hero. It was not a word Jack would have used “I was just doing my job,” he’d say when pressed.

Jack joined the RAF in 1935. As a gunner on a bombing raid in 1939 he shot down a Nazi fighter plane and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. In September 1941 he baled out from his burning aircraft over enemy territory and was held prisoner of war till 1945, enduring hardship and horror.

As allied troops advanced across Europe, he was one of those forced on “The Long March” away from the front line and saw many of his comrades die around him. Jack was one who survived, but not to tell the tale. He kept his nightmares to himself.

Now his daughter has pieced together his remarkable story.