Mexborough and Swinton Times August 9, 1919

Local Heroes.
Wombwell Flying Officer.
Decorated by the King.

We are, pleased to record that, in pursuance of the Royal Command, Lieut John Hirst, R.A.F., of Wombwell, was on Saturday last invested with the Air Force Cross by H.M the King.

Capt. Sir Charles Cust, presented Lieut. Hirst, and, after pinning, the decoration on his breast, his Majesty shook hands and expressed his pleasure at meeting him.

It will be remembered that the decoration was gazetted in 1918, for valuable services rendered in aircraft bombing attacks on enemy submarines in the North Sea., being strongly recommended by his Wing Commander, Lieut. Colonel Sitwell, who was recently in command of a large flying boat making a demonstration flight round the coasts of Denmark and Scandinavia.

Lieut. Hirst enlisted in the Royal Navy at the outbreak of war, after obtaining a commission in the Royal Navy (Flying Branch) and was transferred to the R.A.F. in 1915