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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 236

Five: Bombardier C. M. Cook, Royal Artillery, who earned a 'mention' for services in South-East Asia in 1946 with No. 656 (Air Observation Post) Squadron, Royal Air Force

1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S. E. Asia 1945-46, with M.I.D. oak leaf (14290834 Bdr. C. M. Cook. R.A.), very fine (5)

M.I.D. London Gazette 26 June 1947:

'In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Netherlands East Indies (prior to 30 November 1946).'

C. M. Cook served with No. 656 (Air Observation Post) Squadron, Royal Air Force which arrived in the Far East with 90 other ranks of the Royal Artillery. In Burma they were the only AOP Squadron to support the whole of the 14th Army, throughout the Burma campaign.

The Squadron flew in the victory parade at Kuala Lumpur in Malaya on 14 September 1945 following which the Squadron moved to Java and Sumatra. At that time, their work was with the guns of the Devon & Dorset Yeomanry and the Dutch 'U' Brigade to support the campong clearing operations. The Squadron took over the completion of 4,500 pin-pointed obliques within three months of the monsoon which was soon to arrive. The Squadron undertook some round flights of up to 450 miles before handing over to the Dutch by November 1946; sold together with copied research.

See Fire by Order; Recollections of Service with 656 Squadron in Burma by E. W. Maslen-Jones for further details.


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Sold for
£350

Starting price
£160