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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 442

Three: Sergeant L. S. O'Donoghue, Royal Air Force, who flew with No. 88 Squadron over Korea and in the 'Firedog' operations over Malaya

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (2238598 Sgt. L. S. O'Donoghue. R.A.F.); Korea 1950-53 (2238598 Sgt. L. S. O'Donoghue. R.A.F.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, good very fine and scarce (3)

Provenance:
Christie's, April 1992.

Laurence Stephen O'Donoghue was born on 26 December 1927 at Rouring Springs Road, Clonmel, Ireland. He woud have been eligible for National Service after the conclusion of the Second World War and and entered the Royal Air Force, training as an Aircrew Signaller. O'Donoghue is as confirmed member of No. 45 Squadron at RAF Tengah, Singapore from early 1950 when the unit were flying Bristol Brigands (The Flying Camels, Wing Commander Jefford, refers). Remaining with No. 45 Squadron until 20 August 1951, he was then transferred to No. 88 Squadron at RAF Seletar. The Operations Record Book confirms his role as an Air Signaller flying in the Sunderland (ML745) crew of Flight Lieutenant Douche, including their flight on 6 September 1951 on 'anti-submarine patrol for H.M.S. Glory - West Coast Korea'. They followed this with a 'weather reccie' in the same region on 9 September (Medal). O'Donoghue thence flew on flights in support of Operation 'Firedog', flying with Sergeant Weaver in Sunderland PP155 in October and flying with the Squadron CO, Squadron Leader Helme in Sunderland ML745 in November. The unit then flew a further 30 sorties in Korea in December, with O'Donoghue attached the the Home Establishment for Pilot/Navigator aptitude tests from 13 January 1952. He died at the Royal Berkshire Hospital on 7 July 2010, having been a food buyer by trade in later life; sold together with copied ORBs and research which include a group photograph of No. 45 Squadron in December 1950, with O'Donoghue identified.

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Sold for
£450

Starting price
£210