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Auction: 14001 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 10

The Outstanding Spitfire Ace's C.B.E., Second War 1943 'Immediate' D.S.O., 1940 'Immediate' Battle of Britain D.F.C. and Bar Group of Eight to Pilot Officer, Later Air Commodore, R. 'Ras' Berry, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Accredited With At Least 14 Destroyed, 10 Shared Destroyed, 9 Probables, 17 Damaged and 7 Destroyed on the Ground. The "Mighty Atom" was Involved in One of the Earliest Interceptions Of the War Over the United Kingdom, Claiming a He.III Damaged, 7.12.1939, Before Going On To Rack Up 30 Claims On Enemy Aircraft with 603 Squadron During 1940. He Commanded 81 Squadron in North Africa, Before Commanding 322 (Spitfire) Wing, North Africa, March-June 1943
a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Commander's (C.B.E.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband, in Garrard & Co. case of issue
b) Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse of suspension bar officially dated '1943', with integral top-riband bar
c) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1940', with Second Award Bar, reverse officially dated '1943'
d) 1939-1945 Star, with Battle of Britain Bar
e) Air Crew Europe Star, with Atlantic Bar
f) Africa Star, with North Africa 1942-43 Bar
g) Defence and War Medals
h) Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R. (Act. Sqn. Ldr. R. Berry. R.A.F.V.R.), generally very fine or better, mounted as originally worn, with the following related items:
- The recipient's associated miniature awards, mounted for wear; riband bar, buttons and various cloth insignia
- D.F.C. Royal Mint case of issue
- Bestowal document for the C.B.E., named to Group Captain Ronald Berry, D.S.O., O.B.E., D.F.C., dated 1.1.1965
- Three R.A.F. Pilot's Flying Log Books (25.4.1937-23.8.1946; 8.10.1947-30.11.1956 and 7.2.1957-15.7.1959)
- Original Caricature in pastels of the recipient as "The Mighty Atom", as published in Airmail
- Seven R.A.F. War Issue Editions of aviation maps of Great Britain, with annotations by recipient
- A number of photographs from various stages of recipient's career
- A Cassette recording of an interview with recipient for a BBC Radio Scotland programme called 'Scotland's Golden Years In The Air'; a signed print called the 'The Scenic Route', by Alan S. Holt, signed by the artist, a limited edition of 500
- A large R.A.F. 'Themed' Leaving Card, commemorating Berry's years in the service, with 20 signatures
- Newspaper cuttings and other emphera (lot)

C.B.E. London Gazette 1.1.1965 Group Captain Ronald Berry, D.S.O., O.B.E., D.F.C., Royal Air Force

D.S.O. London Gazette 1.6.1943 Acting Wing Commander Ronald Berry, D.F.C. (78538), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The Recommendation states: 'Out of a total of 412 operational sorties this Officer has carried out 45 Sweeps over France and no less than 85 Sweeps since coming to North Africa six months ago. The work carried out by Fighter Squadrons at Bone under his leadership during the first few months of this campaign was largely responsible for the sea supply lines being kept open.
More later as Wing Commander Flying 322 Wing and then as O.C. 322 Wing his organising and directive ability coupled with sound leadership both in the air and on the ground have greatly contributed to the success of the Wing. He personally has been responsible for the destruction of 17E/A, and the probable destruction of 8 others. In addition he has damaged a further 12 E/A.
His gallantry and determination to engage the enemy at all times are outstanding and I strongly recommend him for this Award.'

O.B.E. London Gazette 1.1.1946 Acting Wing Commander Ronald Berry, D.S.O., D.F.C. (78538), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

D.F.C. London Gazette 25.10.1940 Pilot Officer Ronald Berry (78538), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The Recommendation states: 'Pilot Officer Berry joined his Squadron as a Sergeant Pilot in the R.A.F.V.R. in October 1939.
Whilst with his Squadron in Scotland, his section was responsible for the destruction of a Ju.88, a Do.17 and a He.111.
His Squadron moved to S.E. England on 27th August, 1940, and Pilot Officer Berry, leading his Section, has displayed great skill and courage in all his engagements with the enemy. In these operations he has, himself, destroyed 6 Me.109's and shared in the destruction of a further 2 Me.109's and a Do.17. He has also probably destroyed at least 4 Me.109's.
This gallant young Officer, throughout innumerable engagements with the enemy, has shown great bravery and determination in pressing home his attacks to close range. His example, coupled with his cheerfulness and hard work in the Squadron, have done much to ensure its success in action.'

Remarks of the Air Officer Commanding, Air Vice Marshall K.R. Park: 'This young pilot has shown great bravery and determination in pressing home his attacks to close range. He has also led his section with skill and dash.
He is cheerful and hard working. He has shot down six enemy aircraft and probably several others.
I strongly recommend him for the Immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.'

D.F.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 2.3.1943 Squadron Leader Ronald Berry, D.F.C. (78538), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 81 Squadron
The Recommendation states: 'S/Ldr. Berry has been on operational flying since the beginning of the war, and at all times has shown himself to be a keen, courageous and resourceful pilot. At Hornchurch and again in North Africa he has acted as deputy Wing Commander Flying in an exemplary manner. He has destroyed 15 aircraft, probably destroyed nine, and damaged many others.'

Covering Remarks of Air Officer Commander, No.242 Group: 'Wing Commander Berry took over the Wing leadership of 322 Wing whilst commanding a Squadron and has led Squadrons successfully on numerous sorties. He has shown great determination and courage over a long period both as a Squadron Commander and Wing Leader. Strongly recommended for the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross.'

Air Commodore Ronald "Ras" Berry, C.B.E., D.S.O., D.F.C. (1917-2000), born Hull; educated at the Hull Technical School and subsequently employed in the City Treasurer's Department; joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as Sergeant Pilot, 24.4.1937; he carried out his weekend flying training in Hawker Harts and Hinds at No. 4 E & R.F.T.S., Brough; after further training at No. 8 A.O.S. he was called up with the outbreak of the Second War, and posted as a Pilot Officer for operational service to 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force (Spitfires), Turnhouse, November 1939; he was one the detachment sent to Montrose to protect the airfield there; Berry was involved in one of the earliest interceptions of the war over the United Kingdom, when he damaged a He.III south east of Montrose, 7.12.1939; during the "phoney" war the squadron flew numerous defensive patrols over Scotland; he was active against convoy raiders off the coast of the Scotland, and on 30.6.1940, 'Engaged Ju.88 80m E. of Peterhead' (Log Book refers); the latter was claimed as Damaged; Richard Hillary (a squadron conteporary of Berry) gives the following incite in his book The Last Enemy, published in 1942, 'Pilot Officer Berry, commonly known as Raspberry, came from Hull. He was short and stocky, with a ruddy complexion and a mouth that was always grinning or coming out with some broad Yorkshire witticism impossible to answer. Above that mouth, surprisingly, sprouted a heavy black moustache, which induced me to call him the organ-grinder. His reply to this was always unprintable but very much to the point. Even on the blackest days he radiated an infectious good-humour. His aggressive spirit chafed at the Squadron's present inactivity and he was always the first to hear any rumour of our moving south.'

Thankfully for Berry the following month was far busier, with the squadron adding 10 enemy aircraft to their score; Berry shared a Ju.88, a Do.17 and a He.III during this month, the first being 3.7.1940, 'Shot Down Ju.88 10 miles N. Montrose. I claim this destroyed myself although 2 others fired it 15 minutes before without result' (Log Book refers); Battle Over Britain by Francis Mason gives further insight into the squadron's activity for the day, 'the most successful pilots on the 3rd July were those of No. 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron which was at this early stage of the Battle operating Sections and Flights of Spitfires at Dyce, Montrose and Turnhouse. At 13.46 hours Green Section (Fg. Off. B.J.G. Carbury, Plt. Off. R. Berry and Plt. Off. B. Stapleton) was ordered off to investigate an aircraft in the neighbourhood of Montrose and found a Junkers Ju.88A-2 of 8 Staffel, KG 30, which they shot down into the sea. Three of the crew were seen to survive the combat. At 16.15 hours Red Section (Sqdn. Ldr. G.L. Denholm, Plt. Off. D. Stewart-Clark and Sgt. I.K. Arber) intercepted another Ju.88 from the same Staffel, twenty-five miles noth-east of Peterhead; in shooting this aircraft down, all three Spitfires suffered damage from the German gunners. Yet a third Ju.88 of 8./KG 30 was destroyed by 603 Squadron when Plt. Off. I.S. Ritchie, Plt. Off. G.K. Gilroy and Sgt. J.R. Caister came upon a raider off Stonehaven.'

Hornchurch - A Happy Hunting Ground
As a consequence of mounting casualities south of the border, 603 Squadron was posted to Hornchurch; Berry was delighted with this turn of events, as Hillary recorded:

'It had come at last. The whole Squadron was moving down to Turnhouse. That was only Edinburgh, but with the German offensive in full swing in the south, it could mean only one thing. In a very few days we should be further south and in it. Broody Benson was hopping up and down like a madman.
"Now we'll show the bastards! Jesus, will we show 'em!"
Stapme was capering about shaking everyone by the hand, and Raspberry's moustache looked as though it would fall off with excitment. "Eh, now they'll cop it and no mistake," he chortled. "I've had just about enough of bulling about up here!"

Berry arrived at Hornchurch, 27.8.1940, and was immediately into the action the following day, 'Patrol 30,000 Dover Area. 1 Me. 109 Probable. 1 Me. 109 Damaged' (Log Book refers); on the 31st August he accounted for three enemy aircraft in one day, 'Ras remembered that day particularly clearly and drew on it to graphically describe a typical day's readiness for recording in the squadron history. "The batman's knock on the door before dawn signalled the beginning of another day.... and we were required to report almost immediately for dawn-to-breakfast standby; a quick cup of tea in the Mess, a few quips from the chaps, then onto the three ton truck which took the pilots to Squadron dispersal point, a hut on the far side of the airfield. Wearing my Mae West, and after briefing by the C.O., I went to meet my ground crew, two devoted airmen who treated and cared for my Spitfire like the thoroughbred she was. After that, back to dispersal to report aircraft OK. The squadron came to 'readiness'. It was still dark... The first sortie was usually about breakfast time, the last about 2000hrs. We had egg, bacon and beans which was sent over from the Mess. Other times we ate when we could. Some didn't live to enjoy breakfast." ' (Ronald Berry Hull's Spitfire 'Ace', D. Chester refers)

During his second scramble of the morning Berry found himself over the Canterbury area 'in the thick of a mass of wheeling, milling Me. 109s, which were protecting their big brothers, the Heinkel and Dornier bombers.

The squadron split up and in seconds I was in a dogfight with a 109. The turn got tighter. The question was which of us would straighten up - would the 109 roll over and disappear or stay long enough for me to get a bead on him? He left it too late. I got in a long burst, then another, and he burst into flames… Another 109 crossed below and in front. I rolled over and followed him. He never saw me.

I gave him a long burst as I closed rapidly on his tail. There was a long trail of smoke and flame and he went straight into the ground.' (Obituary refers)

Scrambled again in the early evening Berry chased a Me. 109 heading east and shot it down over Shoeburyness; as a consequence of this eventful days' flying he acquired for himself the nickname of "The Mighty Atom."

The Mighty Atom
The squadron was hard pressed during September 1940, and often involved in three or four fierce battles against overwhelming odds on a daily basis, "when I saw Heinkel bombers unleashing their load onto the poor populace of London it had an effect of making me hopping mad and I think from that moment on I had the feeling there was something much more serious than just having dofights in the air... I was enraged at that sort of bombing. I acquired what I can only describe as being a 'bloodlust'. I was just getting on with my job at first - I never thought of killing anybody - but then I felt pretty bloody minded about it - and I kept this attitude, this bloodlust, through-out the war, as far as I could" (Ronald Berry Hull's Spitfire 'Ace', D. Chester refers); casualties mounted amongst the original members of the weekend fliers, but Berry's record during this month was both constant and outstanding:

1.9.1940 Me.109 Shared. Canterbury
2.9.1940 Me.109 Damaged. Chatham
9.9.1940 He.III Damaged. North of Ford
11.9.1940 Me.110 Damaged. South London
15.9.1940 Me.109 Probable. Dungeness
15.9.1940 Me.109 Probable. South-east Chatham
15.9.1940 Do.17 Destroyed. South-east of Chatham
17.9.1940 Me.109 Probable. Chatham
27.9.1940 Me.109 Destroyed. Gravesend
27.9.1940 Me.109 Shared. Gravesend
27.9.1940 Me.109 Probable. Gravesend
29.9.1940 Me.109 Probable. Hornchurch
29.9.1940 Me.109 Damaged. Hornchurch
30.9.1940 Two Me.109s Destroyed. Biggin Hill

By the end of September Berry had earned a weekend of leave, and he used this to good effect by popping back up to Hull to get married; he was also recommended for the first of his D.F.C.s; fighting activities began to tail off by the end of October and into November, however, Berry still managed to damage a Me.109, 27.10.1940; in November Berry shared a Me.110, damaged a He.113 and destroyed a Me.109 before encountering the Italian Air Force for the first time; the latter was during only its second raid on England, 23.11.1940; off Dover Berry 'Shot Down CR.42 & 1 Prob. CR.42. First Italian Victim - Dog Fight with Biplane-Fighter' (Log Book refers)

C/O 81 Squadron
Berry returned with the squadron to Scotland in December 1940 - of the 24 pilots that had been originally posted to Hornchurch in August, only 8 were to fly back to Scotland; he was promoted 'A' Flight Commander, January 1941; his operational tour ended in April, and he was posted as Fighter Controller at Turnhouse; promoted Squadron Leader, 1.12.1941; despite his role Berry still managed to fit in several scrambles in Hurricanes; his relative rest over Berry was appointed to the command of 81 Squadron (Spitfires), Ouston, 16.1.1942; the squadron were employed with convoy patrols until May, when Berry took them to Hornchurch; whilst stationed at the latter they carried out offensive sweeps as part of the Hornchurch Wing over Europe, including 14.7.1942, 'Offensive Sweep Ostend. 3 Ships Attacked. P/O Smackleton Picked Up in Sea. Flak!! + Some' and 15.7.1942, 'Offensive Sweep Etaples. Gun Posts Attacked. W/C Finucane Crash Landed & Drowned' (Log Book refers); he carried out 4 offensive patrols as part of the air cover for the Dieppe Raid, 19.8.1942; as summer progressed Berry led the Wing more frequently, often acting as escort for formations of Flying Fortresses; in October the squadron became non-operational to prepare for a posting overseas; moving up to Scotland they embarked on M.V. Leinster at Greenock, 25.10.1942.

North Africa - Operation Torch
The squadron disembarked at Gibraltar, 6.11.1942; they were re-equipped with tropical Spitfire Vc's and took off for Algiers with 90 gallon tanks, 8.11.1942; as the Allied Landings of Operation Torch commenced the squadron touched down at Maison Blanche; Berry's squadron was the first Allied Squadron to land in French North Africa; as Sergeant Alan Peart (81 Squadron) recorded, they did not receive the warmest of welcomes, "The airfield was still in French hands. Ras on landing got into an argument with the local French Commander, each claiming the other as his prisoner, until a British tank appeared which settled the matter"; Berry did not waste any time and had the squadron up on a scramble the same day; success for the squadron, and indeed Berry, was immediate during their first full day of operational flying, 'Patrol Algiers. First Big Air Fights 81's Day Out! (7 Destroyed)' (Log Book refers); Berry's score was boosted by one Ju.88 destroyed, another shared and a He.111 shared; he damaged another Ju.88, 11.11.1942, 'Patrol Bougie. 1 Damaged Ju.88. Convoy In Harbour Attacked By 6 Ju.88s Followed By 4 Savoias Carrying Out Torpedo Attack. Carried Out Dummy Attacks On Wops. No Ammo Left. P/O Rigby. F/O Large Shot Down At Bougie' (Log Book refers); two days later the squadron moved to Bone; on the 14th the squadron was caught on the ground by raiders and suffered heavy casualties, Berry managed to get up in time and damage a Macci; on his return from the sortie Berry was delighted to see that RAF Command had sent forward ten aircraft of 111 Squadron to further reinforce the base, Berry greeted 111 Squadron's C.O., "Thank God you've arrived... we've flown our arses off, most of our aircraft have been bombed or shot up and there is no early warning system. We're sitting ducks" (Ronald Berry Hull's Spitfire 'Ace', D. Chester, refers); Berry records the following for the day, '1 Macci Damaged. Chased A Ju.88 & 2 109's. They Escaped In Cloud. Ju.88's Attacked The Drome All Day. F/Lt. Bedford Badly Burnt. P/O Fenwick Slightly Injured. F/S Friar Killed In Air Combat Over Drome'; the squadron suffered another pilot wounded, and one missing in action from a similar attack two days later; Berry continued to lead from the front claiming 2 Me. 109s damaged, 26.11.1942, and sharing another two days later; on the 28.11.1942, due to Group Captain Appleton, D.S.O., D.F.C. becoming a casualty, "Dutch" Hugo (see Spink 22.4.2010 sale for Hugo's medals) moved up from Wing Leader to C/O of 322 Wing and Berry was appointed Acting Wing Leader; in December he shared a FW 190 over Bone, destroyed another over Terbouba, and destroyed an Italian S.79 over the same area.

322 Wing
On the 5th January 1943 Berry's Log Book gives the following, 'Squadron Moved To Constantine For A Well Earned Rest. Having Destroyed 29 and a third - Probably Destroyed 14½ - And 38 Damaged From 8. Nov. 1942 - 4. Jan. 1943. F/Lt. Waud - D.F.C. P/O Fenwick - D.F.C. Sgt. Moston - D.F.M. F/Lt Walker - D.F.C. & Bar F/Lt Bedford - D.F.C. Self Bar To D.F.C. Squadron Total Ops. Hrs. 2,260'; Berry was promoted Wing Commander, 22.1.1943; he took over the Command of 322 Wing from Hugo in March 1943, handing command of 81 Squadron over to Squadron Leader C. Gray; the Wing comprised of Nos. 81, 152, 154, 232 and 242 Squadrons, all whom were Spitfire squadrons; as the Tunisian campaign progressed the Wing carried out more and more close-support work attacking Army targets and escorting bomber attacks; Berry undaunted by his new role took up where he had left off, 31.1.1943, 'Shot Down 109G2. 20 Miles E of Bone. Pilot Baled Out 20,000 & Captured'; he destroyed another Me.109, 25.2.1943, with the Pilot once again having to bale-out; Hugo also liked to keep his hand in, as Berry records on an Escort and Cover mission for 12 Mitchells, 1.3.1943, just before he handed over command of the Wing, 'G/Capt. Hugo D.S.O., D.FC. x 2 et Croix de Guerre & Bronze Palme!! My No. 2!!'; the following day, on a similar operation, Berry added a Me. 109 as a Probable over Mateur; he claimed another damaged, 8.3.1943, 'Beja - 6 Me.109G's - Had A Head-On Squirt 22,000'; having been awarded a Bar to his D.F.C., his combat record for April re-inforced his obvious desire to engage the enemy head-on:

3.4.1943 FW 190 Damaged.
5.4.1943 Ju.87 Damaged. Pont du Fahs
13.4.1943 Me.109 Probable. Enfidaville - Ponts du Fahs
25.4.1943 Me.109 Damaged. Medjez
26.4.1943 Me.109 Damaged.

May heralded the end of the campaign in Tunisia, however, there was still time for Berry to destroy a Ju.52 on the ground, 6.5.1943, and six Me.109's on the ground the following day; he and Hugo also liberated a 'Captured Hun Recce Plane' flying it back to base together on the 10th; on the 15th May Berry recorded the following in his Log Book, 'Awarded the D.S.O. - Victories 17½ Dest. 9 Prob. Dest. 17 Dam. 1 Ju.52 On Ground. 126 Fighter Sweeps. 560 Ops. Hrs.'

The 'Quiet' Life
On the 20th May Berry led Nos. 154, 232 and 242 Squadrons in the Fly Past for the Victory Parade in Tunis; a few days later he was posted for service in the UK; his journey, as a passenger, was almost as 'hairy' as if he had been flying his Spitfire, 'Algiers- Oran - Oran - Gibraltar - Gibraltar - Tempsford. 3 Hun Officers On Plane - I Guess They'd "Had It". Shot At By Guns Of Spain & Spanish Morroco Over Spain Portugal France. Ceiling 300! At Base'; recognised as one of the leading fighter pilots of the day Berry was posted as Officer Commanding Training Wing to 53 (Spitfire) O.T.U., Kirton-in-Lindsey, June 1943; despite his busy schedule he still managed to fit in the odd social engagement, 13-15.9.1943, 'Visit to Hornchurch - (B. Of B. Luncheon At Simpsons 14th); 20-27.9.1943, 'Battle Of Britain Parade - Rehearsal' and 21.4.1944, 'Dinner At Tangmere For General Eisenhower'; after attending the Army Staff College at Camberley Berry was posted as Wing Commander Training and Plans A.D. G.B. - H.Q.F.C., February 1944; he was posted as Chief Flying Instructor, Flight Leaders' School, Milfield, August 1944; after the war he formed the Central Fighter Establishment at Tangmere, commanded R.A.F. Acklington and served at No.12 Group as Wing Commander Operations; he was posted to command the Air Fighting Development Unit, West Raynham, 1947, before being sent on an exchange to the United States Air Force in the early 1950s; during the latter he flew in many types of aircraft at the air proving ground; upon his return Berry was appointed Wing Commander Plans at Fighter Command; in 1954 he attended the Joint Services Staff College prior to taking a Bomber Course; having completed the course he was appointed Wing Commander Flying at Wittering on Valiant Jet bombers; with the appointment of former fighter leader, Air Chief Marshal Sir Harry Broadhurst, to lead Bomber Command, he sent Berry to command 543 Squadron one of the new Valiant nuclear deterrent squadrons; Berry left the squadron in 1959, when he was promoted Group Captain, and appointed Director of Operations, Navigation and Air Traffic Control at the Air Ministry; after two years at the Air Ministry he was posted to command R.A.F. Lindholme; promoted Air Commodore, Berry was one of 13 serving Group Captains and one Air Commodore who had fought in the Battle of Britain chosen to march at the head of Sir Winston Churchill's funeral procession in 1965; briefly employed at the Board of Trade he retired in 1969.

Berry's Spitfire 1X, code EN199, bearing the initials R-B, flown by him from January 1943 to the end of Operation Torch has been restored and is on display at the Malta Aviation Museum at the former RAF base at Ta' Qali.

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