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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 362

The Canadian Memorial Cross to Flight Lieutenant R. F. Halliwell, Royal Air Force, a Blenheim Pilot who died from his injuries in a flying accident at Sungei Patani Aerodrome, Malaya, on 24 February 1941

Canadian Memorial Cross, G.VI.R. ( Flt. Lt. R. F. Halliwell R.A.F. 33341) engraved, fitted with pin to reverse, loop for riband now absent, otherwise very fine

Robert Frederick Halliwell was born in British Columbia, Canada in 1918 and was the son of Adrian and Ivy Halliwell originally of Newmarket, Suffolk. His parents were married at Newmarket in 1910 and they both emigrated to Canada where his father served as an Officer in the Canadian Army in the Great War, he was noted at living in Vancouver in June 1921.

Halliwell passed through his training at R.A.F. Cranwell in the General Duties Branch and was granted a permanent commission with the rank of Pilot Officer on 30 July 1938. Promoted to Flying Officer on 30 January 1940 Halliwell is noted as serving at R.A.F. Tengah in April 1940, attached to the Operations Room. He was returned to Unit on 3 June 1940 after detachment to S.H.Q.. He presumably carried out flying training in the interim period, becoming a Blenheim pilot. On the 24 February 1941 he was the pilot of Blenheim MkI L1104 which suffered an engine failure and the aeroplane hit trees whilst attempting to force-land. The Operations Record Book for No. 62 Squadron confirmed the following:

'One of the Unit's aircraft crashed and caught fire in attempting to force land with one engine at SUNGEI PATANI Aerodrome. Two of crew 561258 Sergeant WALKER, P.Y. and 546805 Temporary Sergeant COUZENS, G. were killed and the pilot Flying Officer R. F. HALLIWELL (33341) died a few hours later of his injuries. A fourth member of the crew 5333281 LAC. HAYNES, J. sustained serious injury while dragging the pilot clear of the burning wreckage and was taken to PENANG Hospital.'

Halliwell was originally buried in the Alor Star European Cemetery but was moved to the Taiping War Cemetery, Perak, Malaya, in 1948. He is further commemorated on the plaque in St. Agnes Church, Bury Road, Newmarket as well as the headstone of his mother's grave in Newmarket cemetery; sold with various copied research.

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Sold for
£160

Starting price
£70