Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 581

Seven: Group Captain H. L. Lewis, Royal Air Force

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence & War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (Sqn. Ldr. H. L. Lewis. R.A.F.), light contact marks, otherwise very fine (7)

Howard Llewelyn Lewis was born on 28 October 1920 and was first commissioned on 29 November 1941. Appointed a Navigator, he was later advanced Flying Officer on 1 October 1942.

He began his operational flying with 459 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force conducting Anti-Submarine patrols off the coast of North Africa in the role of Observer flying aboard Hudsons. Lewis was posted to 69 Squadron on 24 April 1943 which at the time was based at Luqa, Malta. He was loaned to 203 Squadron flying as either an Observer or Navigator aboard Baltimores from June 1943 in Anti Submarine patrols. The Pilot on his various Ops was Warrant Officer Carlton. He and the crew were commended for taking excellent photographs on 30 June 1943 of a damaged enemy transport vessel which had been hit by Beaufighters of 252 Squadron to the entrance of the Levkas Canal in Greece. Continuing to fly with 203 Squadron, he later returned to Malta on 17 July 1943 and the same day returned to 69 Squadron.

Lewis continued to fly with Carlton from 18 July carrying out an Anti-Submarine hunt east of Sicily. On 21 July he carried out a Taranto block patrol of 2 small vessels off Port Alice. He carried out a further A/S patrol again east of Sicily on 23 July with a mention of a hospital ship. Two days later he carried out a similar patrol and they spotted a dinghy containing one live person which was picked up. Further patrols took place on 28 and 31 July, continuing into August with four further patrols. On 2 September, Lewis was part of an escort into Malta on a search for a potential minefield South of Licata two days later. On 7 September he formed part of an escort and on 11 September searched for Italian M.V.'s in the Ionian Sea.

This continued throughout the autumn with a similar pattern of escorts and patrols. A patrol on 11 December resulted in one submarine sighted on the surface with a further one at periscope depth. Lewis continued with 69 Squadron into the spring of 1944. He was promoted to Flight Lieutenant (permanent) on 22 April 1947, to Squadron Leader on 1 January 1950, and to Wing Commander on 1 January 1956. Lewis served with Transport Command (Operations) from July 1959 and was a part of the Department of the Air Member for Supply and Organisation (Staff) from 14 January 1962. Promoted to Group Captain on 1 July 1965, Lewis later retired on 3 April 1974; sold together with copied research including Operations Record Book entries.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£190

Starting price
£170