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Auction: 9022 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 426

Family Group: The ´Dissolution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland´ 1963 Civil M.B.E., Second World War ´1944´ D.F.C. Group of Seven to Mustang Pilot Flight Lieutenant F.J. Hope, Royal Air Force a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Civil Division, Member´s (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver, with Royal Mint case of issue b) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ´1944´, with Royal Mint case of issue c) 1939-1945 Star d) Air Crew Europe Star, with France and Germany Bar e) Defence and War Medals f) Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., with ´Territorial´ scroll suspension (F/Lt. F.J. Hope. D.F.C. R.A.F.), nearly extremely fine, together with the Recipient´s R.A.F. ´Wings´ and the following related documents &c.: - The Recipient´s Two Flying Log Books, covering the period 18.9.1941-1.2.1946 - Bestowal Document for the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E., named to Francis Joseph Hope, Esq., D.F.C., and dated 31.12.1963 - Letter to the recipient from the Governor General informing him of the award of the M.B.E., dated Salisbury, Rhodesia, 23.12.1963 - Named Buckingham Palace enclosure for the D.F.C. - Air Council enclosure for the Second World War awards - The Recipient´s Certificate of Service and Release, dated 18.9.1953 Pair: Flight Officer J. Hope, née Hogg, Women´s Auxiliary Air Force Defence and War Medals, extremely fine, in named card box of issue, together with a RAF sweetheart´s brooch and the following official documents: - Air Council enclosure for the Second World War awards - The Recipient´s Certificate of Service, dated 6.10.1959 - Photograph of the Recipients on their Wedding Day, 26.2.1945 (9) Estimate £ 2,400-2,800 M.B.E. London Gazette 1.1.1964 Francis Joseph Hope, Esq., D.F.C., Assistant Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health. D.F.C. London Gazette 29.12.1944 Francis Joseph Hope (126788), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 2 Squadron. The Recommendation states: ´´Flight Lieutenant Hope has proved himself an exceptionally skilful and courageous pilot. He has flown on a large number of sorties, including many to the Falaise Gap and had obtained some excellent photographs. His aircraft has often been damaged by anti-aircraft fire and on five occasions it has been attacked by far superior numbers of enemy fighters but, despite all opposition, he has always pressed on and completed his sortie. Flight Lieutenant Hope has also participated in many naval bombardment and artillery reconnaissance sorties since ´´D´´ day. In September, 1944, he was detailed with another aircraft for a particularly difficult and dangerous mission over Flushing. The port defences were extremely heavy. He flew for nearly two hours at 5,000 feet and damaged the dock installations and enemy shipping, in spite of most severe anti-aircraft fire. On returning to base, he was unable to lower the undercarriage of his aircraft. By most skilful handling, he accomplished a masterly landing without further damage. Flight Lieutenant Hope´´s outstanding efficiency, determination, and devotion to duty are worthy of high praise.´´ Flight Lieutenant Francis Joseph Hope, M.B.E., D.F.C., enlisted as 5112172 Private, Territorial Army, 22.6.1929; transferred as 655291 Corporal, Royal Air Force, 29.3.1941; took to the air for the first time, 18.9.1941, and spends the next 21 months training, flying Oxfords, Hudsons, Ansons, Hurricanes, and Mustangs; Commissioned Pilot Officer, General Duties Branch, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 5.6.1942; posted to No. 2 Squadron, R.A.F.V.R. (Mustangs), 9.7.1943; First Operation, 8.9.1943, taking photographs over Le Touquet; subsequent operations photographing enemy installations over Normandy; Flight Lieutenant, 5.6.1944; ´´"D" Day- Shot up 1 Bus and 2 Trucks´´ (6.6.1944); ´´Intercepted by 4 ME 109´´s- turned upside and spun from 3500 feet- regained control at 2000 feet- No damage´´ (13.6.1944) (Log Book refers); to France with No. 2 Squadron, 29.7.1944; to Belgium, 26.9.1944; One Hundredth Operation over Rotterdam, 26.9.1944; Mission over Flushing Harbour, 30.9.1944 ´´Intense light, medium, and heavy flak- made landing with one wheel only down. Hits on 7000 ton ship´´ (Log Book refers); 110th and last Operation, 6.10.1944; posted No. 41 Squadron (Hurricanes), 9.11.1944; Retired, 12.12.1946. After the War Hope served as Assistant Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, and was awarded the M.B.E. on the occasion of the Federation´´s Dissolution as Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland were granted Independence. Flight Officer Jessie Hope, née Hogg, enrolled as 2015530 Aircraftswoman 2nd Class, Women´´s Auxiliary Air Force, 21.5.1941; Commissioned Assistant Section Officer, Women´´s Auxiliary Air Force, 9.12.1942; Section Officer, 9.6.1943; Flight Officer, 27.6.1944; married Flight Lieutenant F.J. Hope, 26.2.1945; retired, 11.10.1945.

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