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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 240

The 1946 posthumous D.F.M. group of four to Flight Sergeant G. E. Bolland, Royal Air Force, who was killed in action during a bombing attack on Dortmund in February 1945 whereby he bailed out but was lost, and the remainder of his crew captured and taken captive; Bolland was only 19 years old and had taken part in over 60 operations with No. 405 Squadron

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (2206444. S/Sgt. G.E. Bolland. R.A.F.); 1939-1945 Star (2206444 F/Sgt. G.E. Bolland. R.A.F.); France and Germany Star (2206444 F/Sgt. G.E. Bolland. R.A.F.); War Medal 1939-45 (2206444 F/Sgt. G.E. Bolland. R.A.F.), the last three with privately impressed naming, all mounted together as worn, light contact wear, very fine (4)

D.F.M. London Gazette 1 March 1946, the original recommendation states:

'Flight Sergeant Bolland has successfully completed one full tour of operations and is now on his second tour. His successful sorties include such strongly defended enemy areas as Wanne-Eickel, Dusseldorf, Essen and Nurnberg. His determination to make every mission successful combined with his skill and efficiency as a Flight Engineer make him a very valuable crew member. No mission is too difficult for this Engineer to undertake and his keenness is an inspiration to the other members of his Section. Strongly recommended for the non-immediate award of the D.F.M.'

George Eric Bolland was born circa 1926 and served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He was posted to 405 (Royal Canadian Air Force) Squadron, Pathfinder Force, which operated out of Gransden Lodge, Bedfordshire. With his Squadron, Hall flew 63 sorties and logged 245 hours of flying time on operations before he met his end in the skies above Germany.

Bolland and the crew headed out from Gransden Lodge on the evening of 20 February 1945 in Lancaster PB530 for a bombing attack on the southern half of the German city of Dortmund. 14 Lancasters were lost during this operation, young Bolland’s being one of them. The 19-year-old Flight Sergeant is known to have bailed out of the aircraft but did not survive the descent. The rest of the crew did survive but were captured by the Germans.

Bolland was later interred at the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany and awarded a non-immediate D.F.M. for his 'fortitude, courage and devotion to duty'. He left behind a widow, Tessie Bolland of Cleveleys, Lancashire. Notification of his award was sent to G. Bolland at Anchorsholme Lane, Blackpool, Lancashire.

Sold together with a wealth of copied research, including extensive details of Bolland’s raids, four original aerial photographs of the aftermath of bombing attacks on Le Havre, Stettin and Russelsheim, as well as a photograph of Bolland’s headstone.

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

Estimate
£1,200 to £1,600

Starting price
£950