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Auction: 1008 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 139

A Well Documented Wellington Navigator´s Campaign Group of Four to Flight Sergeant, Later Flight Lieutenant, W.E. Butcher, 142 Squadron, M.E.F., Who Completed 37 Operational Sorties with the Squadron to Targets in Italy, France, Hungary, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria 1939-1945 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, very fine or better, with the following related original documentation &c.: - Royal Canadian Air Force Aircrew Flying Log Book (covering the period 28.7.1942-4.2.1945) - British Forces, Middle East, Identity Card, complete with photograph - R.A.F. Flying Clothing Card - Officer´s Pay and Allowances Book - A fine series of 19 Target Photographs taken by Flight Lieutenant Butcher as Bomb Aimer to his pilot (then Flight Sergeant Wright), whilst on operational sorties with 142 Squadron; and a comprehensive file of research (lot) Estimate £ 200-300 Flight Lieutenant William Edward Butcher, born Much Woolton, Lancashire, 1912; enlisted as Aircraftman 2nd Class, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, September 1941; having been placed on Reserve he was called up 9.3.1942; he undertook his initial training at No. 6 E.F.T.S., Sywell before being posted for training as a Navigator to Canada, 8.9.1942; posted No.5 Bombing and Gunnery School, Dafoe, Saskatchewan, October 1942; returned to the UK, March 1943 and was posted to No. 21 O.T.U., Moreton in Marsh, May 1943; posted for operational service with 142 Squadron (Wellingtons) Kairouan, Tunisia, as part of the M.E.F., 5.9.1943; Butcher flew as Bomb Aimer in 37 operational sorties with the squadron to targets in Italy, France, Hungary, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria; sorties included: Pompei; Cerveteri Airfield; 14/15.10.1943, ´Talamone Rly Line, 7x500lb 4x250GPLD, 3 photographs, Lt Flak & S/Lights from Seaplane Base. Low Level Attack´ (Log Book refers, and 1 of 3 target photographs mentioned is included in the lot); Fubara Airfield; 24/25.2.1944, ´Steyr (Austria) A/C Factory 5x500lbs 025MC 2x250lb 025MC. Scattered Heavy & Medium Flak (inaccurate) 3 photgraphs´ (Log Book refers, and 1 of 3 target photographs mentioned is included in the lot); Bihac, Yugoslavia; Genoa Marshalling Yards; Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Padua Marshalling Yards (2) and 28/29.3.1944, ´Milan M/Yds, 36 Flares Illuminator Heavy & Light Flak at Target & enroute - searchlights at Verona´ (ibid); after completing his 1st tour of operations he was posted to 77 O.T.U., Qastina, July 1944; subsequent postings included to HQ Mediterranean, Middle East and Air H.Q., Italy, before being discharged 13.1.1947.

Sold for
£620