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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 321

(x) The South African Memorial Plaque awarded to Lieutenant R. H. Hulley, South African Air Force, a veteran Pilot of No.21 Squadron and who flew 38 missions over Italy in 1944 but was killed in a flying accident in Khartoum on 17 July 1945 when his Lockheed Ventura aeroplane crash-landed, killing 16 service personnel

South African Memorial Plaque, Died on Service - World War 1939 1945 (328584V Lieut. R. H. Hulley S.A.A.F.), very fine

Reggie Harden Hulley was born at Matatiele, South Africa on 24 May 1924, the son of Harden W. and Violet E. Hulley of Paddock, Natal, South Africa. He attested into the South African Air Force on 22 January 1942, having previously been a Scholar, becoming an Air Pupil. He was confined to barracks on two separate occasions in 1942 firstly on 7 September and again on the 5 November with 5 days and 7 days respectively for minor offences. Hulley became a Pupil Pilot on 19 December 1942 and a Second Lieutenant Pilot on 26 September 1943 with 24 A/S.. He was posted to MAFD on 27 September 1943 and then to 61 A/S. Hulley was posted from MAFD to ME on 17 January 1944 and deplaned at Cairo on 20 January 1944, the same day he moved from MAFD to the SAAF Base depot. On 21 February 1944 he went to R.A.F. Station Shanduv and on 21 April he went to the SAAF Adv Tv Camp.

Hulley was posted to No. 21 Squadron on 3 May 1944 firstly flying Baltimore aircraft and then Marauder aircraft. He is confirmed as Pilot for the attack on 1 July 1944 on Road Bridge at S 398362, and was a pilot twice on raids on the Lugo Marshalling Yards on 2 July 1944. The following day he was on the raid on Corsini Harbour, followed by a raid on the 6 July 1944 on the raid on Faenza. The remainder of the month saw consistent bombing attacks on Gun Positions and Road Bridges with an emphasis on the Ancona region. The Squadron began training on Marauder aircraft and converted in a record 28 days having completed this task by the 15 August 1944. Hulley was part of the raid on the Forli Marshalling Yards on 25 August 1944 and on the Pesaro Gun areas each day from 26-29 August 1944 inclusive. For September 1944 he participated in 16 assorted missions to include attacking the Gothic Line and with detailed attacks on the Rimini area with the emphasis on gun positions. His final raid was on the Forli Mashalling yards on the 24 September 1944. He was posted on 5 October 1944 to the S.A.A.F. Base Depot back in South Africa.

Hulley whilst performing the task as Pilot was killed as a result of a crash landing in a Venutura "Shuttle Service" aircraft at Khartoum on 17 July 1945, with a total of 16 people becoming casualties, this being 3 crew and 13 passengers. Hulley was buried in the Khartoum War Cemetery. At the time of the accident the Defence Department made an error in the casualty notifications and got the wrong Hulley sending a telegram to someone who was actually still alive.

His service papers show entitlement to a 1939-1945 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45 and an Africa Service Medal which were sent to his mother on 16 September 1961.

The lot comes with copied service papers and very detailed copies of the activities of No. 21 Squadron over the period he was serving with them in which he is listed on many occasions.

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

Sold for
£110

Starting price
£110