The Airmen's Stories - P/O J Coggins

John Coggins was born on 5th May 1913 in Barnet, Hertfordshire, the son of John Austin Coggins (1878-1944) and Florence Charlotte Coggins (nee Cook 1888-1962) of Nacton, Suffolk. His father, who served in the Worcestershire Regiment in WW1, is shown in the 1939 register as a Butler.

John Coggins went to Nacton Voluntary School, Suffolk.

He joined the RAF as an Aircraft Apprentice in September 1929 and passed out on 19th August 1932 as a Fitter, Aero Engines.

He later applied for pilot training and became a Sergeant-Pilot.

Coggins was posted to Palestine in the Thirties, serving with 6 Squadron and operating the Hawker Hardy from RAF Ramleh (Ramlah in present-day Israel) on anti-insurgent duties.

His conduct resulted in the award of the DFM (gazetted 22nd November 1938), the citation reading:

"In July 1938 Sergeant Coggins was brought to the notice of the General Officer Commanding British Forces in Palestine and Trans-Jordan for gallant and distinguished conduct in action, and in November he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. His unswerving devotion to duty and disregard for personal safety have been a fine example to other pilots of his squadron".

On 11th March 1939 a squadron colleague, P/O JE McFall, was tasked with locating a mounted group of rebels reported near Zemal (Irbid in present-day Jordan). After finding them he returned and reported to Lt-Col. JI Chrystall MC, commanding officer of the Trans-Jordan Frontier Force.

Lt-Col. Chrystall set off in a Hardy flown by Sgt. Coggins with the intention of directing a company of Gurkhas against the rebels by radio, the first time that this had been attempted.

Their aircraft came under fierce gunfire and Coggins was seriously wounded, despite this he managed to fly for a further 20 minutes until a landing could be made at Jisr el Mejamie for medical attention.

(P/O McFall returned to the scene of the action to repeatedly attack the rebels and in recognition of his courage in the face of the enemy was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross. He was killed in action in the Western Desert on 15th March 1941).

After recovering, Coggins returned to anti-insurgency flying, the events of 11th March brought the award of a Bar to the DFM (gazetted 14th April 1939), the citation reading:

"Sergeant Coggins was brought to the notice of the General Officer Commanding the British Forces in Palestine and Trans-Jordan in recognition of gallant and distinguished services rendered in Palestine".

At some point in early 1939 he was recalled to the UK and was posted to RAF Martlesham Heath to work with the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment located there.

A review of his service in Palestine brought a Mention in Dispatches (gazetted 25th April 1939) for "Distinguished Service on Operations between 10th April and 31st October 1938".

Coggins was awarded Aero certificate 19033 at Ipswich Aero Club on 11th July 1939.

About this time he married Ivy Gladys Durrant.

He joined 235 Squadron on 2nd June 1940, operating the Blenheim IVf from Bircham Newton, and was commissioned in August.

Above image courtesy of the Coggins family via Joel Diggle.

Above image courtesy of Darren Prior & Relatives of the Few Facebook Group.

On 7th September 1940 Coggins and other airmen were at a dispersal when Hudson T9276 of 206 Squadron stalled on its final approach when avoiding an off-course Hurricane. It crashed amongst the Blenheims and burst into flames. The sole pilot, F/O J Davis, escaped.

Coggins, F/O JH Laughlin and F/Lt. FW Flood immediately ran to these aircraft, started the engines and taxied them away. During this time two of the bombs exploded. Three aircraft were taken to safety without damage and a fourth, Flood's second, with only minor damage.

Flood was recommended for the George Medal, the citation read:

Recommended by the Secretary of State for Air.

On 7 September 1940, a Hudson aircraft, carrying a full load of bombs, crashed among four Blenheim aircraft and burst into flames. Flight Lieutenant Flood, accompanied by Flying Officer Laughlin and Pilot Officer Coggins, immediately ran to the Blenheims, started the engines of three and taxied them to safety. During this time two bombs on the burning Hudson exploded.

Knowing that the remaining bombs were likely to explode any second, Flight Lieutenant Flood ran back, started up the engine of the fourth Blenheim, which had its rudder in the fire and taxied it to safety.

Throughout, these officers showed complete disregard for their own personal safety in the face of the greatest danger, and it was due to their prompt action, especially Flight Lieutenant Flood, that three of the Blenheims were taken to safety without damage and the fourth with only minor damage.

Flying Officer Laughlin and Pilot Officer Coggins are recommended for appointment as Members of the British Empire Order.

In the event Coggins and Laughlin were awarded a MBE (gazetted 21st January 1941). As Flood was reported Missing before his award could be made, the only possible posthumous award was a Mention in Despatches, Flood's MiD was gazetted on 17th March 1941.

Coggins would never receive his award.

On 16th December 1940 he was captain of Blenheim Z5754 on a minesweeper escort operation. He and his crew, P/O NA Sadler and Sgt. PR Prosser were lost when the aircraft crashed into the sea, cause unknown.

Coggins was 27 years old. He is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 7.

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Additional research courtesy of Dean Sumner.

His brother, F/O William Roger Coggins RAFVR died on 16th December 1943 (the third anniversary of the death of John Coggins) while serving with 255 Squadron. His BeaufighterIVf V8877 crashed on takeoff from Grottaglie. F/O AF Beckett was also killed.

He is buried in Bari War Cemetery, Italy.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.