Three: Signaller I F. Broughton, Royal Air Force, late Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew operationally as a Wireless Operator in Lancasters of No. 97 Squadron in 1944-45

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, together with original Path Finder Force membership badge and embroidered Warrant Officer’s uniform insignia (2), extremely fine (6) £250-300

Frank Broughton, a native of Yorkshire who was born in May 1922, enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in June 1941. Called-up in October of the same year, he attended various Radio Schools and qualified as a Wireless Operator in April 1943. Having then attended an Operational Training Unit and converted to Lancasters, he commenced a tour of operations with No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron, a unit of No. 8 Group operating out of Bourn, in April 1944.

Shortly afterwards the Squadron transferred to No. 5 Group at Coningsby, as part of the Path Finder Force (P.F.F.), where he was advanced to Flight Sergeant and flew sorties against Mailly, Lille, Amiens and Brunswick in May. Additional P.F.F. training having then been undertaken, he and his crew attacked a further four French targets in August, three of them of a daylight nature, including Trossy St. Maxim on the 3rd - on the latter date six Lancasters were lost, a warning of events awaiting Squadron Leader I. W. Bazalgette of 635 Squadron, who won a posthumous V.C. attacking the same target in similarly clear conditions the following day. Thereafter, until being rested in February 1945, Broughton was mainly assigned to targets in Germany, including Darmstadt, Stuttgart and Munich, the latter on three occasions. Moreover, on the night of 13-14 February 1945, he and his crew participated in the notorious Dresden “firestorm” raid.

Advanced to Warrant Officer June 1945, he was demobilised in June 1946, but rejoined as a Signaller I in May 1947 and served in the Air Sea Warfare Development Unit at Thorney Island, and later still in Sunderlands at Calshot, prior to being released from the Service in May 1950.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including the recipient’s R.A.F. Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (Form 1767), covering the period February 1943 to April 1950; certificate for his Path Finder Force Badge, dated 22 May 1945; warrant for the rank of Warrant Officer, R.A.F., dated 13 June 1945; R.A.F. Service and Release Book and Airman’s Service and Pay Book, and Flying Clothing Card, several wartime photographs and further original wartime documentation.