Family group:

Four: Staff Sergeant S. H. Longworth, Glider Pilot Regiment (A.A.C.), who participated in the D-Day, Arnhem and Rhine operations as a 2nd pilot in Horsas

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, together with a set of related miniature dress medals including the General Service Medal for Palestine 1945-48, an A.A.C. badge and an enamelled Glider Pilot Regiment sweetheart’s brooch, good very fine or better

Three: Private H. Longworth, Machine Gun Corps and onetime Mercantile Marine

British War Medal 1914-20 (120195 Pte. H. Longworth, M.G.C.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (Henry Longworth); Victory Medal 1914-19 (120195 Pte. H. Longworth, M.G.C.), contact marks and polished, good fine (14) £400-500

Sidney Henry Longworth, who was born in Liverpool in April 1924 and attended Waterloo Grammar School, commenced his pilot training in Tiger Moths in December 1943, prior to transferring to No. 3 Glider Training School in the new year. Posted to No. 196 Squadron in May 1944, he participated in “Operation Mallard” on 6 June, when he flew as 2nd Pilot to Staff Sergeant Cardy in a Horsa 1 from Bognor Regis. Returning to the U.K. on the 10th, he was next actively employed in “Operation Market Garden”, when, on 17 September, he was again 2nd Pilot to Staff Sergeant Cardy in a Horsa 1, taking off from R.A.F. Kevil with other elements of ‘D’ Squadron and, as verified by an accompanying telegram, safely returned to the U.K. on the 30th. During his subsequent part in “Operation Varsity” on 24 March 1945, as 2nd Pilot to Sergeant Stocker, however, his Horsa II made a forced landing at Lille, thereby necessitating onward transport to the scene of battle by road. Then in February 1946, he was embarked for the Middle East, where he participated in the post-war Palestine operations (Medal & clasp), which distinction was sent to him in June 1950.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including the recipient’s R.A.F. Pilot’s Flying Log Books (2), Form 414 types, the first covering the period December 1943 to December 1945, with traces of amendment to the Arnhem entry and worn covers, and the second the period August-September 1946, this latter with additional pasted down inserts, including two official letters in respect of his General Service Medal for Palestine 1945-48, six photographs and a quantity of newspaper cuttings; together with wartime telegrams confirming his safe arrival back in England, the first following “Mallard”, dated 10 June 1944, and the second “Market Garden”, dated 30 September 1944; a cut-out, card mounted coloured portrait photograph; together with a silver cigarette case, hallmarks for Birmingham 1947, with interior inscription, ‘Sidney from Nan, 21st Birthday, 6th April 1945’, so presumably as given to him on his return from Palestine, and an officially dated ‘1943’ black tin and leather map box.

N.B.
The recipient’s General Service Medal, clasp, Palestine 1945-48, is believed to be in a private collection.