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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 382

Four: Flight Lieutenant A. E. G. H. Thorp, Royal Air Force

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (364774. L. A.C. A. E. G. H. Thorp. R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45 with M.I.D. oak leaf, Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R. (364774 F.Sgt. A. E. G. H. Thorp. R.A.F.), slight edge bruise and minor contact marks to first otherwise good very fine (4)

Arthur Edward Gabriel Harry Thorp was born at Chatham, Kent on 23 July 1907 the son of Arthur and Aimee Thorp and was baptised at Chatham, St Johns, Kent on 25 August of that year. Enlisting on 14 January 1924 as an Aircraft Apprentice at R.A.F. Halton, he joined as part of the 9th entry but passed out with the 11th. Having trained as a Fitter he was posted in that role to R.A.F. Henslow in May 1928 and was promoted Aircraftman Class I in November of that year. Posted to India at R.A.F. Kohat in June 1930 just in time for the campaign against the Afridis, he worked in the station workshops overhauling the engines which led to him being made a Flight Fitter with 'C' Flight 27 Squadron. Returning to Britain in 1934 he was posted to 24 (C) Squadron being promoted Corporal Fitter. Here he was posted for two months to Miranshah Fort, flying in multiple cross country runs with his total flying time in Kohat working out at 59 hours. Thorp took a conversion course from 1936-37 at H.A.D. Henslow and advancing Fitter Class I. Towards the end of this service he married Elsie Mary Caine in September 1937 at Bedford and that same year was posted to 23 (F) Squadron at Northolt to be employed as Corporal Fitter Class I on Flight Maintenance. This unit was later relocated to Wittering on 16 May 1938.

Thorp was posted to 705 (C) Flight aboard H.M.S. Repulse in 1938, conducting flight maintenance here he was promoted Sergeant and commanded the Flight for three months. Returning to Britain in 1939 he served with 605 (F) Squadron, a night fighter unit based at originally at R.A.F. Castle Bromwich but relocated regularly over the coming year from Tangmere on 27 August 1939 to Leuchars 11 February 1940 to Wick 28 February and finally Hawkinge 21 May. He served here as Sergeant in command of a flight, a role he retained when in June 1940 he was reposted to 614 A.C. Squadron at Grangemouth. Promoted Flight Sergeant in 1941 Thorpe was posted to 58 Operational Training Unit and employed as Flight Sergeant in command of repair and inspections and receiving a 'mention' for this work on 1 January 1942. Undertaking the same role the next year at Flying Instructor's School Belvedere, part of the Rhodesia Air Training Group, Thorp was soon discharged to Commission on 4 July 1943 as Pilot Officer (Technical) with the number '52233'. With this new rank he served at Number 20 Service Flying Training School at Cranborne with the role of M.T. Officer, much of his flying here was related to Air Tests however on 3 February he undertook a night search for a missing aircraft. Remaining in this position until he was promoted Flying Officer (Wireless) on 5 January 1944. He was attached to Headquarters, R.A.F. Kumalo, with the Rhodesia Air Training Group in July of that year before transferring there officially on 1 December 1944. Posted to 7 Service Flying Training School at Peterborough on 17 March 1945 before the unit relocated to Kirton-On-Lindsay on 3 April 1946 and transferred to be Flying Officer (Branch List) on 7 November 1946. Promoted the next year to Flight Lieutenant on 5 January 1947 and posted to Headquarters 23 Group at Leighton Buzzard that same year to undertake Technical Staff Duties. Remaining here for several years until appointed Officer Commanding RAF Coningsby in February 1952. After so many years in Britain Thorp was posted overseas for the final time, to Khormaksar with Headquarters British Forces Aden performing the role of Flight Lieutenant (Technical). He served there until his retirement on 29 May 1958; sold together with original service records; documents and pilot's log book as well as the framed award certificate for his M.I.D. and a named case for his medals. This case containing full sized medals, corresponding miniatures, riband bar, dog tags, name plate and two permanent passes including one named to H.M.S. Repulse.

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Sold for
£320

Starting price
£140