The posthumously gazetted Second War Coastal Command D.F.M. group of five awarded to Flight Sergeant W. R. Hoyle, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action in a Liberator of No. 206 Squadron off Norway in September 1944

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1481202. F/Sgt. W. R. Hoyle. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (5) £1,400-£1,800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas.

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D.F.M. London Gazette 3 November 1944:

‘As navigator, Flight Sergeant Hoyle has completed very many sorties and has invariably displayed a high degree of devotion to duty. In spite of a most trying experience in which he was injured this airman’s keenness remained unabated. After his recovery he soon resumed operational flying. Some months ago he was mid-upper gunner of an aircraft which engaged a U-boat. In the run-in much anti-aircraft fire was faced but Flight Sergeant Hoyle delivered most effective bursts of fire and completely silenced the submarine's guns. He set a fine example of skill and determination.’

The original recommendation states:

‘On 19 September 1944, Flight Sergeant Hoyle, who was a Navigator in this crew, was relieving an Air Gunner in a mid-upper turret in an aircraft, Liberator BZ. 9804 (“S” / 206) which made an attack on a partially submerged U-Boat in position 62’20’ North, 02’30’ East at approximately 1910 hours. At a range of two miles, the U-Boat’s guns were completely silenced. His actions in the mid-upper turret clearly illustrates the great value of this turret in a daylight attack on a U-Boat. On 20 July 1944, Flight Sergeant Hoyle was involved in an aircraft crash in which eight members of his crew were killed. He himself was badly injured, was in hospital and on sick leave until 5 September. On 12 September, he re-commenced operations. In spite of a very harrowing experience and personal injuries, he was shown exceptional keenness and devotion to duty. His offensive spirit is of the highest order and he is an example and inspiration to all. I very strongly recommend that he be awarded an immediate Distinguished Flying Medal.’

Covering remarks by Station Commander:

‘Flight Sergeant Hoyle has shown outstanding courage and devotion to duty. He is a strong, determined character and a very real asset to his squadron. I most strongly recommend that he be awarded an immediate Distinguished Flying Medal.’

William Royston Hoyle was born at Bramley, Yorkshire in January 1921 and, following his enlistment in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, undertook training in Canada. Having then qualified as a Navigator and Air Gunner in April 1943, and attended an O.T.U. at Nassau in the Bahamas, he returned to the U.K.

Posted to No. 206 Squadron, a Liberator unit of Coastal Command, operating out of R.A.F. Leuchars, he subsequently flew many sorties and was a popular member of the squadron. Tragically, several of his crew were killed when their Liberator crashed on take-off from Leuchars on 20 July 1944, Hoyle being fortunate to be thrown clear. He nonetheless sustained injuries to his head and legs.

Returning to the squadron on 5 September 1944, he was quickly back in action, his D.F.M.-winning exploits being enacted on the 19th, when his aircraft made three separate depth-charge attacks on a U-boat, north-east of the Shetlands. Modern day research has revealed the target of his accuracy gunnery was the U-858, which suffered damage but survived; an oil slick and dinghies spotted by the Hoyle’s pilot 20 minutes after the attack were in fact from the scuttled U-867.

Sadly, just a little over a week later, on the 28th, Hoyle’s Liberator EV885 failed to return from an anti-U-boat patrol off the Norwegian coast. The last signal received from the aircraft placed it some 25 miles west of Verhaug, and enemy aircraft were known to be operating in that vicinity.

The son of the late Smith Wheatley Hoyle, and Fanny Kate Hoyle, who later re-married, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. His mother received his D.F.M. from the King at Buckingham Place on 29 October 1946.

Sold with an impressive archive of original documentation and photographs, the former mainly comprising poignant correspondence in respect of his death in action, from ‘the telegram’ received by his mother to letters from his squadron C.O., but also his Air Ministry condolence slip and Buckingham Palace condolence message; the photographs mainly housed in two extensive wartime albums, as compiled by the recipient in Canada and elsewhere.