Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 15002 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 44

A Good Second War 1944 Halifax Flight Engineer's D.F.M. Group of Five to Flight Sergeant E. Boyles, 51 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Who Flew In At Least 36 Operational Sorties, Including 4 Times To Berlin and Back, and to Nuremberg, 30/31.3.1944, When He Was Severely Wounded
a) Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (904972. F/Sgt. E. Boyles. R.A.F.)
b) 1939-1945 Star
c) Air Crew Europe Star, with France and Germany Bar
d) Defence and War Medals, generally very fine or better, with the following related items:
- Campaign Medal card box of issue, addressed to 'E. Boyles, Esq. 27, Thackeray Road, Whipton, Exeter, Devon'
- R.A.F. Identity Card
- Four photographs from various stages of recipient's career, including with his Halifax crew
- Three R.A.F. Christmas Day Menus, two with signatures, dated 1939, 1940 and 1942 respectively
- Various Newspaper cuttings and other ephemera (lot)

D.F.M. London Gazette 16.1.1945 Flight Sergeant 904972 Flight Sergeant Edwin Boyles, R.A.F.V.R., 51 Sqn
The Recommendation, dated 22.10.1944, states: 'Flight Sergeant Boyles has successfully completed 36 operations with this Squadron, eighteen of them against Germany's most heavily defended targets such as Berlin four times, Leipzig, Stuttgart and the Ruhr, as well as the tactical targets of Occupied Europe. His keenness to operate at all times has set a fine example to his colleagues, and at short notice he has often operated with crews other than his own.
On one occasion when engaged on an attack on Nuremberg, on the way to the target, his aircraft was hit and Flight Sergeant Boyles was wounded, and unable to carry on with his job. Throughout the remainder of the trip however he continued to give instructions to the Bomb Aimer who had taken his place at the Engineer's panel, and the aircraft arrived successfully back at base. Flight Sergeant Boyles had then completed fifteen operations, and after three months in hospital returned to the Squadron determined to complete his tour. He is a very valuable member of aircrew, always keen and conscientious in the air, and inspiring to the crew of his aircraft on the ground. He is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.'

904972 Flight Sergeant Edwin Boyles, D.F.M., born Paignton, Devon, 1919; resided in Exeter and was a motor mechanic prior to the War; initially served as an Leading Aircraftsman, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve; advanced Sergeant 1943, and after training as a Flight Engineer was posted to 51 Squadron (Halifaxes), Snaith, Yorkshire; flew in at least 36 operational sorties with the squadron, including: Berlin (4); Magdeburg; Leipzig; Stuttgart (3); Frankfurt (2); Essen; Nuremberg, 30/31.3.1944 (see D.F.M. Recommendation), '795 aircraft were dispatched - 572 Lancasters, 214 Halifaxes and 9 Mosquitoes. The German controller ignored all the diversions and assembled his fighters at 2 radio beacons which happened to be astride the route to Nuremburg. The first fighters appeared just before the bombers reached the Belgian border and a fierce battle in the moonlight lasted for the next hour. 82 bombers were lost on the outward route and near the target... 95 bombers were lost in all... It was the biggest Bomber Command loss of the war' (The Bomber Command War Diaries, M. Middlebrook and C. Everitt refers); Villers Bocage; Oisemont; St. Martin (2); Croixdalle; Les Catelliers; Nucourt; Caen H2; Bottrop; Kiel; Anderbelck; Le Nieppe (3); Hazebrouck; Sterkrade; Brest; Hamburg; Munster; Boulogne and Calais (3)

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£1,700