Honour for Southend airman

Honour for Southend airman

Details of the award of Distinguished Flying Medal to Sergeant Spencer Lewis Belton

One newspaper cutting

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HONOUR FOR SOUTHEND AIRMAN.

The list issued on Saturday of airmen to receive awards for “gallantry in flying operations against the enemy” includes the name of Sergeant Lewis Smith Belton, whose father lives at Southend and who was born at Chelmsford, in 1919.

Sergeant Belton, who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, was navigator and bomb aimer in an aircraft which was badly hit by a high explosive shell during an attack on enemy ships at Wilhelmshaven last month. He continued his duties with great coolness and courage after the cabin had been riddled with holes, and enabled the pilot officer to bring the aircraft home.

Formerly a farm worker, Sergt. Belton joined the R.A.F. last year.