Now this is scarce. This is a specially produced bookplate with an original pencil portrait drawing of Flt Sgt Richard Harwood James DFM by Steve Teasdale. The drawing, with white highlights on sepia recycled card features the professionally mounted genuine pencil signature of Richard James mounted underneath. Richard James is mentioned on a number of occasions by Guy Gibson in the uncensored version of Enemy Coast Ahead. Richard Harwood James was born on 25th December 1911 and joined the RAF in June 1940. He volunteered for aircrew duties and went to Martlesham Heath, where he was trained in Airborne Radar Interception techniques. He then moved to Middle Wallop and was attached to 604 Squadron for air training.
On 20th October 1940 James joined 29 Squadron at Digby and flew operationally with a squadron detachment at Wittering. In November Guy Gibson arrived at 29 Squadron and James teamed up with him and they flew together until December 1941. They had ten combats during 1941 and claimed three enemy aircraft destroyed.
 On one occasion in March 1941 James was in a Beaufighter which attacked a He111 flying towards the Humber. After the first burst the cannons jammed and the enemy aircraft climbed to 15,000 feet. Although without oxygen, James struggled for at least forty minutes, changing ammunition pans. When finished, he collapsed, exhausted. With the one cannon successfully cleared, Gibson was able to destroy the He111.
James was awarded the DFM (gazetted 2nd September 1941). There are very few signatures available from people who flew with Guy Gibson.