"Pilot-Officer McConnell, then a Sergeant, won his award last year for an outstanding act of bravery when acting as rear-gunner on a plane which was attacked by an overwhelming enemy force. McConnell continued to fire at the enemy till he was peppered in hands and legs with shrapnel and blown from the gun turret into the fuselage. He managed to regain a seat in the plane and was able to direct the pilot to a safe landing in England. Both were immediately decorated". McConnell was killed when his plane, a Boston BZ387 crashed into the grounds of Eagle School House near Sandhurst in Berkshire. The plane was returning from North France. Several civillians were injured.