A second honour for War hero.
A HUDDERSFIELD man is to see his brother honoured for his wartime heroism.
Gerald Copley, 79, will see the heroic efforts of his brother, John James, with the Royal Air Force during the Second World War publicly honoured.
Mr Copley, of Kirkheaton, will travel to RAF Marham in Norfolk on May 30 to see a new barracks block named after his brother.
John James - known to many as Jack - was a 27-year-old rear-gunner at the time and the first airman from Marham to shoot down a German plane during the war.
During an air battle over Germany in December, 1939, the undercarriage of his Wellington bomber was badly damaged.
It is also thought a bullet hit a belt buckle on John's uniform.
The plane was forced to make a crash landing back in Britain and thanks to John's efforts during the crisis the crew survived.
John, who lived at South Hiendley, near Barnsley, was seriously injured in the crash. He received the Distinguished Flying Medal for his bravery.
Two years later his plane was shot down over Denmark and he was captured and interrogated.
He and two crew members dined in the officers' mess on a German airfield with the pilot who shot them down, a Lieutenant Schmitz.
He and two crew members dined in the officers' mess on a German airfield with the pilot who shot them down, a Lieutenant Schmitz. 
John spent the rest of the war in prison camps before being freed in 1945 and returning to South Hiendley, to his job as a fitter at Mockton Colliery.
He eventually opened his own garage and petrol station.
He died in 1987 at the age of 75, leaving four children.
Mr Copley said he was very proud that his brother was being honoured once again.
He added: "It is a double honour - firstly to be decorated with the DFM at the time and then to be remembered after all these years,
"It is a double honour - firstly to be decorated with the DFM at the time and then to be remembered after all these years,
"I am surprised they have not done something for the other crew members who were involved.
"I don't know too much about what happened to them, because when my brother came back he never spoke about his experiences. I don't know why, but we never pestered him."
Mr Copley did not serve in the Second World War because an accident during a plumbing apprenticeship had left him unfit for fighting duty.
He will be accompanied on May 30 by 15 relatives, including his wife, son and daughter-in-law and members of John's family.
He said: "I am looking forward to the ceremony. I am very proud of my brother."
Flying Officer Toby Downs, of RAF Marham, said John Copley was chosen to have a block named after him because of his distinguished conduct.
He added: "It is a tradition to name our barracks after distinguished personnel associated with RAF Marham." | 
