'The last time I saw Jack Parsonson - Major J. E. Parsonson, D.S.O. - in the Western Desert was...

'The last time I saw Jack Parsonson - Major J. E. Parsonson, D.S.O. - in the Western Desert was on 16 August 1942, when he and his close friend, 'Rosy' - Colonel S. F. du Toit, C.B.E., D.F.C. & Bar - flew in my section of 2 Squadron's Kittyhawks on a reconnaissance of the Alamein Line. I got rather badly hurt on that sortie and had to swim some of the way home. As a result, I was not able to witness more of Jack's memorable tour of operations, but I have since heard him tell of these exciting times.

When Jack and Rosy were posted to 2 Squadron of the South African Air Force as supernumerary Captains in July 1942, they had both seen action against the Italians in East Africa. Each went on to command a fighter squadron during those hectic months of combat from Alamein to Tunis, Rosy leading 4 Squadron right to the end of the North African campaign with Jack in charge of 5 Squadron until he was shot down just before the finish.

Jack Parsonson was, in fact, shot down three times - first, by Afrika Corps light flak, then by the Luftwaffe - a gaggle of Me. 109s - and, finally, by the German Kriegsmarine (a motor torpedo boat). It was an extraordinary story of escape, recapture and then escape. It was on the third occasion, on 30 April 1943, that his luck ran out.

Gunfire from the E-Boat he was attacking hit his aircraft in the coolant rad. As he was going down, streaming glycol, his calm voice, sounding very matter of fact, came over the R./T. "Well boys, I've had it!" He ditched in the sea near Zembra Island, paddled ashore in his dinghy, and hid up for two nights and a day.

Confident that if he could reach the mainland in darkness he could then evade the enemy, he set out to paddle the dozen or so miles to the shore. Unfortunately, he was spotted, taken prisoner and this time they made sure he didn't get away. So, while Rosy du Toit survived four operational tours and was, in time, promoted to command 8 Fighter Wing of the S.A.A.F. as a full Colonel, poor old Jack champed at the bit in Stalag Luft III.

Jack Parsonson's reluctance ever to shoot the line often leaves one wondering just how he really felt when the chips were down. When you ask him about it, he just laughs and passes it off. "I was terrified, old boy, absolutely petrified. But weren't we all?" And still one if left wondering … '

A tribute by Major-General R. 'Dick' Clifton, S.A.A.F., refers; see Thanks for the Memories, by 'Laddie' Lucas.


The rare Second World War Desert Air Force ace's D.S.O. group of five awarded to Major J. E. 'Jack' Parsonson, South African Air Force (S.A.A.F.), whose truly remarkable wartime career is described in his colourful memoir A Time to Remember

Whether he took up his entitlement to membership of the Late Arrivals and Goldfish Clubs remains unknown, but he was thrice shot down and twice evaded capture: no wonder his favoured exclamation was "Isn't it marvellous to be alive!"

Packed off to Stulag Luft III after being downed for a third time - whilst leading No. 5 (S.A.A.F.) Squadron in a low-level attack against E-Boats - he assisted in the famous 'Great Escape' but was not among the 76 officers who exited 'Harry', the alarm having been sounded: instead he faced two German officers brandishing pistols at his chest …

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse of the suspension bar officially dated '1943'; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; Africa Service Medal 1939-45, these four officially inscribed, 'P102686 J. E. Parsonson', together with his embroidered S.A.A.F. Wings and three metalled S.A.A.F. badges, occasional edge bruise, generally good very fine (9)



D.S.O. London Gazette 25 May 1943. The original recommendation states:

'This officer is a fearless, determined and skilful fighter, whose example has proved most inspiring. On two occasions his aircraft has been shot down but, displaying great fortitude, Major Parsonson succeeded in re-joining his squadron. In recent air operations in the Tunisian theatre, this officer flew with distinction. In April, he participated in an engagement during which a convoy of transport aircraft was destroyed off the Tunisian coast. A few days later, he led a formation in an attack on a large number of similar aircraft over the Gulf of Tunis. During the action 20 of them were shot down, two being destroyed by Major Parsonson. His fine fighting qualities are worthy of high praise.'

John Edward 'Jack' Parsonson was born at Smithfield, Orange Free State, South Africa on 20 November 1914 and attended Queen's College, Queenstown. Having then joined the Active Citizen Force, he received a permanent commission in the South African Field Artillery in February 1938. Major-General 'Dick' Clifton takes up the story:

'Jack, like Rosy and me, was a product of the pre-war South African Military College. In those days, cadets were trained in infantry and artillery duties while, at the same time, being taught to fly. Once commissioned, he chose the Field Artillery because it promised the most exciting life. In a Horse Battery of 4.5-inch howitzers, there was ample opportunity for equestrian pursuits, and Jack loved horses almost as much as he loved aeroplanes.

He was handsome and he sat a horse superbly. On his coal black charger, 2nd Lieutenant Parsonson looked magnificent with his immaculate riding breeches and Barathea tunic, highly polished riding boots and Sam Browne belt.

His other great advantage in joining the Artillery was that once a week he could fly any of the Hawker Harts or the beautiful Hawker Fury, whereas fellow cadets who had chosen the Air Force found themselves on an instructor's course flying Avro Tutor trainers. However, when war broke out Jack lost no time in transferring to the S.A.A.F.'


No. 3 (S.A.A.F.) Squadron - East Africa 1941-42 - first blood

Posted to No. 3 (S.A.A.F.) Squadron, which was equipped with Curtiss P-36 Mohawks and based on the border of Ethiopia and French Somaliland, Parsonson was credited with the destruction of a Savoia Marchetti 75 on the ground at the Vichy French airfield at Aiscia, Jibouti on 5 October 1941.

No. 2 (S.A.A.F.) Squadron - North Africa 1942 - mounting score

Towards the end of the summer of 1942, Parsosnon transferred to No. 2 (S.A.A.F.) Squadron in the Western Desert, flying Kittyhawks, and his guns were soon back in action.

He damaged a Mc. 202 over Alam el Haifa on 29 August; damaged a brace of Me. 109s over Duba on 9 October and destroyed a 109 over the Alamein area on 26 October.

Downed - evasion - Late Arrivals Club

On 1 November 1942, whilst strafing enemy troops and transport, his Kittyhawk was hit by ground fire and he was compelled to make a forced-landing in the Qattara Depression.

An epic 21-mile desert walk ensued before he reached Allied lines two days later, a journey encompassing some hair-raising moments, not least the occasion he unwittingly walked into an enemy minefield. He also suffered from mirages and a number of falls but was eventually picked up by a patrolling jeep of 40 Recce Squadron, S.A.A.F.

Downed - escape

On 10 November 1942, over Tobruk, he faced even greater odds, being attacked head on by four 109s. A desperate combat ensued, the fight beginning at 17,000 feet and quickly spiralling downwards. At 8,000 feet four more 109s joined the fray and his Kittyhawk shuddered under a torrent of cannon fire. Gaping holes appeared in the mainframe and, as he neared deck level, another cannon shell just missed his right shoulder and slammed into the instrument panel, shattering the oil tank. Cannon fire continued to hit his Kittyhawk even as it a touc...