Burnham Air Hero Awarded DFC

Transcript

Burnham Air Hero Awarded DFC

A BURNHAM man belonging to the Fleet Air Arm, now temporarily attached to the R.A.F., with seven ‘planes to his name, has now been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his work in the air fights.

He is Sub-Lieut. Richard John Cork, of “Lurley,” Dawes East-road, Burnham, and this week his parents heard that he has been awarded the D.F.C., probably for shooting down an enemy bomber and a fighter in single day when Goering’s Air Force made determined assaults on England. Sub-Lieut Cork’s commanding officer is Squadron Leader Bader, the legless pilot who was recently awarded the D.S.O., and who has been in the news a lot lately.

Sub-Lieut. Cork joined the Fleet Air Arm two years ago, when he was 21. For the past six years he lived in Burnham and the latter part of his education was completed at Slough Grammar School – the school where Sergt. Pilot Gilbert Scott, who was lost at sea while on a reconnaissance patrol earlier in the year, was also educated.

Likes Strafing the Hun.

Burnham’s hero was home last week on a 48-hour leave, before returning once again to his base to to repel the Nazi ‘planes. Though he is intensely proud to be serving his country in this way, he admits that he enjoys every moment when he is in the air, “strafing the Hun”, and he has never been shot down.

Before he joined up, he was an accomplished oarsman, and was in the Eton Excelsior eight of two years ago, when they visited Henley and acquitted themselves extremely well, being narrowly beaten by London.

We also have information of another Slough man who has been awarded decoration for gallantry in the air, but his name has not been officially … ced; we are unable to state who h …

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Curator's Notes

On 18 Oct 1940, Sub-Lieutenant (A) Richard John Cork, Royal Navy, was awarded the DSC “for exemplary courage and coolness in successful action against enemy bombers“. [source: The London Gazette]

On 10 Nov 1942, Lieutenant (A) Richard John Cork, DSC, Royal Navy, was “to be Companion of the Distinguished Service Order“. [source: The London Gazette]

Richard John Cork was born in London on 4th April 1917, the son of Harold James Cork (1888-1954) and Ethel Mary Cork (nee Wood, 1892-1981) of Burnham, Buckinghamshire. [source: Battle of Britain London Monument website]

Richard John “Dickie” Cork attended the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, and earned his pilot’s license on January 20, 1940, after which he enlisted in the Fleet Air Arm (FAA). [src: Traces of War website]

He was one of eight members of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club killed in action during the Second World War. The EERC Scrapbook Digitisation Project is dedicated to them. [source: WLHG website]

He died 14 Apr 1944 and is buried in the Trincomalee War Cemetery (2.C.9) in Sri Lanka. [source: CWGC website]

See also Record EE01-0033 “Malta Convoy DSO” in the EERC Vol 1 Collection.

Curator's References

Second supplement to The London Gazette of 18 Oct 1940, supplement 34974, page 6111 [accessed 30 Jul 2026].

Fifth supplement to The London Gazette of 6 Nov 1942, supplement 35780, page 4879 [accessed 23 Aug 2026].

“The Airmen’s Stories – Sub/Lt (FAA) R J Cork” on the Battle of Britain London Monument website [accessed 30 Jul 2026].

“Cork, Richard John” on the Traces of War website [accessed 30 Jul 2026].

“Lieut-Commander (A) RICHARD JOHN CORK” on the CWGC website [accessed 30 Jul 2026].

“Ace of the Month – Lt Cdr RJ “Dickie” Cork” by Mike Barber, on the War Thunder website [accessed 30 Jul 2026].

“1/48the scale Airfix kit of a Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk.Ib, flown by Lt. Richard John Cork, No.880 Naval Air Squadron, FAA, HMS Indomitable, Madagascar, May 1942.” on the Historical Wings website [accessed 30 Jul 2026].

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