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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 577

Four: Flight Lieutenant A. Hardie, Royal Air Force, late Merchant Navy, who flew as a Bomb Aimer with No. 199 Squadron on Special Missions in support of main raids, dropping 'window' and jamming radar

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, Air Crew Europe; Defence & War Medals 1939-45, extremely fine (4)

Alexander Hardie was born on 29 March 1920 and with the outbreak of the Second World War carried out a Merchant Navy Defence Course before serving with the Merchant Navy. He travelled to New York via Newfoundland, arriving on 11 November 1940. Hardie however returned to the U.K. in early 1941 and began a course with the School of Navigation at the Royal Technical College based in Glasgow, and additionally completed a course in First Aid with the St. Andrew's Ambulance Association on 20 June 1941.

Hardie appears to have flown a Tiger Moth at No.3 E.F.T.S. Shellingford (12.25) which was carried forward to his Royal Canadian Air Force Log Book. He recommenced training with No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery school at Dafoe, Saskatchewan from 26 July 1943. He completed his training and returned to the U.K. in April 1944. He first served at 6 (O) Staverton & Moreton Valence continuing his role as an Air Bomber. He went to 12 O.T.U. in June 1944, which was based at Chipping Warden & Edgehill and this time was flying on Wellingtons. He briefly served at 1657 Conversion Unit at Stradishall & Shepherd's Grove converting to Stirlings. Hardie was then posted to No. 199 Squadron based at R.A.F. North Creake, Egmere and his first Op was the first of many serving as part of a Diversionary Force dropping 'window' as part of a raid on Duisburg. The following night he was part of the Bomber Protective support by Mandrel Screen (Radar Jamming). His next Op was on 26 October dropping 'window'. Hardie was due to be part of a raid on 28 October but was recalled. On 30 October he was part of the Mandrel Screen and the next night he was dropping 'window' for the raids on Cologne and Karlsruhe.

Still with No. 199 Squadron, Hardie took part in six raids between 1-29 November - each alternating between Mandrel Screen and 'window' but with the last being a Mandrel Screen raid. Hardie had a busy December with a total of 11 Ops, all being Mandrel Screen support except for one on the 15 December which was 'window'. He had a quieter January with his first Op being on 14 January 1945, followed by two more on the 16th and 22nd, all being Mandrel Screen Ops. Hardie had only four Ops for February all again for Mandrel Screen, no Ops for March, but on 17 April had an Op to Ingolstadt Aerodrome in a combined Window/Mandrel/Bombing Patrol capacity. This was followed up with a similar Op on 19 April and another on 22 April, which was on a raid on Westerhever. His final Op was on Kiel on 2 May 1945 which was protective support by Mandrel Screen and Diversionary Force by dropping 'window', his aircraft also carried 8 x 500lb bombs. He completed his time with No. 199 Squadron in July 1945 and then briefly served with O.R.T.U. Matching Transport Command with his last flight being on 2 October 1945.

Sold together with the following archive comprising:

(i)
Royal Canadian Air Force Flying Log Book for Aircrew other than Pilot

(ii)
Box for his campaign medals, addressed to him at Mayfield, Dalratho Road, Grangemouth Stirlingshire, with medal slip and further note from Orderly Room O. & R.T.U. dated 17 October 1945 confirming awards.

(iii)
Photocopied entries from the Operations Record Book for 199 Squadron covering his Ops

(iv)
New Testament named to him

(v)
A copy of R.A.F. North Creake Egmere 1940-1947, printed in the 1980s

(vi)
A copy of Comrades in Arms, June 1942

(vii)
Various Training pamphlets

(viii)
White Armband

(ix)
Pilot's and Flight Engineer's Notes for Halifax III & VII (later reproduction)

(x)
Merchant Navy Defence Course Part 1, Certificate of Attendance

(xi)
Merchant Navy Defence Course Part 2, Certificate of Proficiency

(xii)
Transit Certificate for his trip to New York dated 2 November 1920

(xiii)
The Royal Technical College Glasgow, receipt for Classes with the School of Navigation with his Certificate of Merit

(xiv)
St. Andrew's Ambulance Association Special Certificate in First Aid, dated 20 June 1941

(xv)
Findings of the Medical Board dated 18 December 1941

(xvi)
Letter from General Register and Record Office of Shipping and Seamen, Cardiff, allowing his release to the Royal Air Force, dated 6 January 1942

(xvii)
Notification of Selection for Appointment to Commissioned Rank, dated 26 November 1943

(xviii)
R.A.F. handkerchief

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Sold for
£260

Starting price
£210