Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 524

A good campaign group of six awarded to Flying Officer T. H. Clarkson, No. 37 Squadron, Royal Air Force, a skilled Wellington Pilot who flew on 24 Ops during the Second World War over Africa, Germany and Italy

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Air Crew Europe Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, in their named box of issue to 'F/O T. H. Clarkson, "Deneholme", Church Road, Gateshead, Co. Durham.', good very fine (Lot)

Thomas Henry Clarkson passed out of 21 Officer Training Unit, Moreton-in-Marsh in August 1942, having flown on his first Op to Dusseldorf on 31 July. He served briefly with 1446 Ferry Flight and then ferried Wellingtons out to West Africa and joined No. 37 (Bomber) Squadron in December 1942. Clarkson flew his first Op, as Second Pilot, on Castel Benito, Tripoli on 15 December. Moved to Benina, his first Op as Pilot was on 8 January 1943 to attack the cross roads at Misurata. He followed that up on 16 January, bombing the transport and tanks on the Zlitten-Homs road. Various attacks followed, including whilst attacked to No. 40 Squadron on 20 February, when flying on Palermo. Hitting shipping and the harbour zone, his Wellington suffered icing and flew into the anti-aircraft fire, which shot away his hydraulics and holed his aircraft. A hair-raising flapless landing was required to bring the crew home safely. By June 1943, Clarkson had notched up some 24 Ops and July 1945 had some 761hrs 40mins on his Log Book; sold together with his Pilot's Flying Log Book (Form 414), to include all his Ops, besides various documents to confirm entitlement, identity tags, RAF WINGS and badges, buttons etc. and his wife's boxed Defence Medal.

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

Estimate

Starting price
£210