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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 402

(x) Six: Flight-Lieutenant G. F. Murdoch, Royal Canadian Air Force, who flew a Tour of Ops which included good action on D-Day, 6 June 1944

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France and Germany; Defence Medal 1939-45, silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp; War Medal 1939-45, silver; Canadian Forces Decoration, with Second Award Bar (F/L G. F. Murdoch), mounted court-style as worn, traces of lacquer, good very fine (6)

Gordon F. Murdoch was the son of Pearl McElroy, of 73 Delaware Avenue, Ottawa who began Course 1 AOS at Malton, Ontario in November 1942. Having completed his Conversion Course at Wombleton, Yorkshire, he joined No. 426 (Thunderbird) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force at Linton in February 1944 as Navigator. He flew his first Op on Stuttgart on 20 February, flying Lancaster K flown by Flight Officer Robertson, which saw them fight off no less than three fighter attacks. A baptism of fire indeed.

Murdoch flew further sorties on Le Mans, 7 March, before going onto strike Stuttgart, Berlin, Essen and Nurnberg before that month was out. On his second visit to Stuttgart on 15 March, the Log Book notes:

'Hit by flak near target. Attacked by FW.190. Got 60 miles off trak coming back. Landed Ford Sussex.'

As plans for the Allied invasion of Europe stepped up, so did the work for his Squadron. May saw raids on St Valery-en-Caux, Haine St Pierre, Ghent, Louvaine, Merville and Le Mans. As June begun, he flew on Houlgate on 5 June to bomb:

'Coastal guns prior to Allie Landings of France. Target clearly marked.'

On that fateful day, 6 June 1944, he flew to bomb the Coutances Railway Bridge, a target skillfully taken out. After this Op, Murdoch followed his trusty Pilot, Pilot Officer Robertson on attachment to No. 432 Squadron, for the daylight sortie on 15 June to attack the dock at Boulogne. That day Bomber Command sent 297 aircraft to attack, sinking three German minsweeping tenders, nine minesweepers, two patrol boats, three tugs and five harbour defense vessels in the process. He flew a further daylight Op on St Marten on 21 June, having been returned to his Squadron. The summer continued with relentless Ops, his Tour concluding with a raid on Creil on 5 August. Having flown the Lancaster, Halifax and Oxford, he had completed 38hrs25mins of Daylight Ops and 115hrs55hrs of Night Ops. His mother was sent his Operational Wings having completed his Tour of his in October 1944. Murdoch returned to Canada and flew with No. 435 and 164 Squadrons, his last entry in the Log Book being in August 1946; sold together with his Flying Log Book, binding a little loose but the contents in good condition, Operational Wing issue Certificate, portrait photograph besides cloth and metal Badges and Insignia.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£850

Starting price
£580