The pre-war General Service Medal awarded to Flight Lieutenant R. W. “Twinkle” Pearson, D.F.C., Royal Air Force, who was killed in a flying accident in August 1943 after completing a busy tour of operations in the Middle East with 211 Squadron

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (563637 Sgt. R. W. Pearson, R.A.F.), extremely fine £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Small Collection of Medals to the R.F.C., R.N.A.S., R.A.F. and F.A.A..

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When he landed and walked across to the Mess, looking most fed-up, he was greeted with cries of “Drinks on you!” He did not know he had been successful in shooting down the Cant, for he had had to break off the combat while the Italian was still in the air, though obviously crippled. A Greek observer on the coast had watched the flight, and had seen, after “Twinkle” had left, the Italian crash into the sea and sink. He rang up Headquarters and they passed on the news before “Twinkle” had landed.

He was then all smiles, though “the Bish” told him sternly not to fool about in future, when he was returning from a special job. But “the Bish” was just as pleased as the rest of us.

The story of his attack is in the best traditions. He told us: “We were evenly enough matched - the Blenheim had two guns and the Cant had three, two in the rear turrets and one front. We tackled first the stings in the tail, and with my second burst I got the rear gunner. Just in time, too, for the tracer from the top turret was fairly whizzing past the cockpit - most unpleasant. Then, the rear guns silenced, I went for the cockpit, and made a series of head-on attacks to drive him away from home. When the “ammo” in the front gun was exhausted we tried beam attacks to give my rear-gunner a chance. It was jolly good fun. Then we had to come back, regretfully, for the Cant, just above the waves, was still flying, though all his guns were silent. So we landed a little fed up.” ’

Tour-expired by March 1941, Pearson was awarded the D.F.C. (London Gazette 8 April 1941 refers):

‘Operating continuously from Egypt and Greece since the outbreak of the War with Italy, this officer has carried out 45 operational sorties, on many occasions leading a flight against the enemy. Throughout, he has shown courage and devotion to duty in the face of A.A. fire and fighter attack. Recently he carried out 8 sorties in 8 days, including hazardous photographic reconnaissances.’

Returning to the U.K. Pearson was killed in a flying accident while testing a Hurricane at R.A.F. Kemble in August 1943.

Sold with a large file of research, including letters from aircrew who served with Pearson, a copy of Wisdom’s Wings Over Olympus and a complete run of 211 Squadron Operational Record Book entries.

Withdrawn