Six: Warrant Officer G. M. Seddon, Royal Air Force, who whilst flying with 114 Squadron in March 1945, was shot down during a raid on Lake Commacchio. Forced to bale out and thereby joining the Caterpillar Club, he was the only surviving member of his aircraft

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Sig 1 G M Seddon (1452444) RAF); with Caterpillar Club badge, in gold with painted ‘ruby’ eyes, the reverse engraved ‘Flt Sgt G. M. Seddon’, good very fine (7) £400-£500

George M. Seddon was born in Liverpool in February 1923 and volunteered for service with the Royal Air Force on 21 July 1941. Accepted for Air Crew training as a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner in October 1942 he started operational training on Martin Baltimore’s, before being posted to 18 Squadron. Stationed at Kings X in Algeria and operating Douglas Boston Mk3’s, Seddon’s first operational sortie was on 28 April 1943. Shortly after, the war in North Africa ended, and for a period of nine months Seddon and his crew were detached to what he would call ‘off Squadron activities’. After being sent to Malta, Tripoli, and Bizerta, they wintered at a United States occupied base at Montecorvio, Salerno. Posted back with 18 Squadron at Marcianase in mid 1944, Seddon and his crew were shortly after posted to 114 Squadron, operating Bostons from the same airfield.

Seddon took part in a large number of sorties during 1944, including raids on Monte Casino and air strikes in support of New Zealand, South African and the United States 5th Army. By February 1945, 114 Squadron was operating from Falconara in support of the 8th Army. On 2 March 1945 Seddon took part in a raid on Lake Commacchio. During this raid, Seddon’s aircraft, Boston MkIV BZ563, was shot down and Seddon was forced to bail out, luckily landing just on dry land. He was the only survivor; of the crew of four, two were killed in the aircraft and although another bailed out with Seddon, he landed in the sea and was drowned. Soon after landing, Seddon was taken Prisoner of War and was taken to Verona, Munich, and then on to Stalag 7A at Moosberg. He was liberated by forces of the 7th US Army on 7 May 1945.

Post-War, Seddon stayed on in the Royal Air Force, serving with 48 Squadron in South East Asia Transport Command, flying Douglas DC3’s. As Air Signaller 1 he attained the rank of Warrant Officer and took part in air drops during the Malayan Emergency. He was discharged from the Royal Air Force on 29 April 1949.

Sold with a file of research, including the recipient’s recently-issued Irvin Aerospace Limited Caterpillar Club Certificate of Membership.