You chaps are great - thanks a lot for your help.
Hadn't previously found the mention of my dad's DFC in the Gazette and have now downloaded the combat report you mentioned. This must be the incident which got him the DFC. Whilst having a rummage through the attic, found an old newspaper snippet about my dad in his old mementoes box -
"Pilot Officer Dennis Britton , DFM, RAFVR... has just been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross... since being awarded the DFM in September 1943, he has taken part in numerous attacks... one night in October 1943, when returning from an attack on Leipzig and while still over enemy territory, his aircraft was attacked by hostile fighters and severely damaged.... he regained control and flew his crippled aircraft back to this country... landing at a strange airfield without further damage being sustained."
Have yet to discover why he received the DFM; if there is no citation, presumably that indicates that it is not an "immediate" award for one act of bravery/courage?
This is a great website. Thanks again for your help!
Regards
JS