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Auction: 11011 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 11

A Second War ´1944´ Halifax Air-Gunner´s D.F.C. Group of Five to Rear Gunner Flight Lieutenant R. Peters, Royal Air Force a) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ´1944´ and privately engraved ´F/Lt R. Peters´ b) 1939-1945 Star c) Air Crew Europe Star, with France and Germany Bar d) Defence and War Medals, nearly extremely fine, mounted as originally worn, with the following related items: - Royal Mint case of issue for the D.F.C. - The recipient´s Flying Log Book, covering the period 14.11.1942 - 27.8.1945 - Royal Air Force Sweetheart´s Brooch, in the form of the R.A.F. eagle, with crown above and the initials ´R.A.F.´ within wreath, bronze and enamel - Photograph of the recipient - Copy of the Bolton Evening News interview with the recipient, 4.6.2004, to mark the 60th Anniversary of D-Day, and copies of various other newspaper cuttings (5) Estimate £ 1,800-2,200 D.F.C. London Gazette 6.6.1944 Pilot Officer Ronald Peters (54270), Royal Air Force, No. 78 Squadron. The recommendation, dated 12.3.1944, states: ´This Officer has now completed his first operational tour consisting of 25 sorties. His work has always been of a very high order. On operations which have often been against the most heavily defended targets he has proved himself to be most courageous and efficient. His watchfulness and skill have undoubtedly contributed much towards the success of his crew which was one of the best in the Squadron. For his devotion to duty, and coolness in face of the enemy, he is most strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.´ Remarks by Station Commander: ´This Officer has now completed an operational tour during which some of the enemy´s most heavily defended targets have been effectively attacked. Pilot Officer Peters has proved himself to be a most efficient air gunner and has always shown coolness and courage in the face of danger. He has largely contributed to the successful completion of his crew´s operational tour. I strongly recommend that this Officer´s good record should be recognised by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.´ Remarks by Air Officer Commanding: ´This Air Gunner has proved his courage and skill on operations and I strongly recommend the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.´ Flight Lieutenant Ronald Peters, D.F.C., was born in Deane, Lancashire, in June 1920, and was educated at White Bank Central School. On leaving school he worked for the engineering firm of Hick, Hargreaves and Co. Ltd., and on the outbreak of the Second World War, despite working in a reserved occupation, enlisted in the Royal Air Force, serving initially as a member of the ground crew which helped direct Spitfire and Hurricane fighters during the Battle of Britain. In November 1942 he took to the skies for the first time in a Botha, training as an Air Gunner, and joined 78 Squadron (Halifaxes) at the end of June 1943 as a Rear Gunner. His first mission with his new Squadron was on the 13th July 1943 on a raid over Aachen; over the next six months he took part in a further 24 missions, including raids over Essen, 25.7.1943; Hamburg, 27.7 and 2.8.1943; Milan, 12.8.1943; Hannover, 22.9.1943 ´ME.109 Destroyed´ ( Log Book refers); Dusseldorf, 3.11.1943; Frankfurt, 25.1.1943 ´ME.110 Probable´ (ibid); and Berlin, 29.12.1943. Throughout he and his crew had to put up with a lot of anti-aircraft flak from the enemy on the ground: ´It wasn´t a business trip by any stretch of the imagination. I lost a lot of good friends and colleagues through the anti-aircraft fire. I suppose I was fortunate to survive.´ (Interview with the recipient, reported in the Bolton Evening News, 4.6.2004, refers). Commissioned a Pilot Officer in January 1944, by the time D-Day arrived he was serving as a gunner instructor in Scotland, but he was soon back in action with 35 Squadron (Lancasters), Path Finder Force: ´I never thought that the D-Day landings would bring about an end to the War- I just had to keep on going every day, trying to survive´ (ibid). Promoted Flying Officer, 16.7.1944, he took part, amongst other operations, in subsequent missions over Hamburg, 8.3.1945; Essen, 11.3.1945; Dortmund, 12.3.1945; and Kiel, 9.4.1945, and was promoted to Flight Lieutenant, 16.1.1946. Flight Lieutenant Peters was invested with his Distinguished Flying Cross by H.M. the King at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, on the 21st September 1944.

Sold for
£3,500