Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Northern Ireland A.F.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant F. A. Owbridge, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, a Lynx helicopter pilot serving with No. 663 Squadron, Army Air Corps

Air Force Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (23947293 Sgt., A.A.C.); General Service 1962, 2 clasps, Malay Peninsula, Northern Ireland (23947293 Pte., R.A.O.C.); Regular Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (23947293 Cpl., R.A.O.C.) mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (3) £2000-2500

A.F.M. London Gazette 14 April 1981: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Northern Ireland during the period 1st August 1980 to 31st October 1980.’

The following details are taken from the original recommendation for the award of the Air Force Medal: ‘On the night 26-27 July 1980 Sgt Owbridge was the standby Lynx pilot at Armagh. Severe weather conditions had caused the cancellation of routine flying tasks throughout the Province during the evening.

At about 0115 hours information was received in the Armagh operations room of a bombing incident near Aughnacloy which had resulted in serious casualties. Despite the poor weather Sgt Owbridge, with his aircrewman L/Cpl Worviell, elected to attempt to reach the scene and render assistance. The commanding officer and the medical officer of the supported battalion, together with an airborne reaction force, were emplaned and Sgt Owbridge flew his aircraft through deteriorating weather to the border village of Aughnacloy.

In doing so he showed considerable coolness, skill and professionalism which were further demonstrated during the difficult task of locating the casualties and rendering assistance to ground troops with nightsun in conditions which normally preclude completely the use of this equipment. There was insufficient room for the aircraft to land and Sgt Owbridge directed ground troops to remove the casualties to the nearby security forces base. Sgt Owbridge landed there and the medical officer rendered first aid.

It was immediately clear that one of the casualties required urgent hospital treatment if his life was to be saved. Weather conditions were steadily worsening, but Sgt Owbridge volunteered to evacuate the injured soldier to Musgrave Park Hospital. By about halfway through the flight visibility had decreased to less than 1500 metres, the cloudbase was about 200 feet and there were patches of even lower cloud causing breaks in visual contact with the ground. Conditions were by now well below the absolute minima considered necessary for even the most urgent operational sorties.

As the aircraft reached the area of Long Kesh the medical officer expressed increasing concern at the condition of the casualty which became more critical as the effects of drugs wore off. Sgt Owbridge was now faced with a decision of whether to continue despite the fact that the visibility had now reduced to less than 1000 metres and the cloudbase was below 200 feet. Sgt Owbridge decided that the task was still within his capabilities, and sufficiently urgent to justify attempting to continue to Musgrave Park Hospital rather than land at a nearby security forces base.

The final stage of the flight was particularly demanding, involving the use of nightsun and the aircraft landing lamp to avoid a number of terrain obstacles as well as power cables, aerials and chimneys. The hospital was nevertheless reached in time for the casualty to receive urgent medical treatment.

Throughout this long and difficult life-saving sortie, during which Sgt Owbridge had several times to reassess the risks involved, he demonstrated an exceptional level of courage, coolness and determination and it is strongly recommended that his actions be given the formal recognition of an operational award.’

Only five A.F.M’s were awarded for service in Northern Ireland during the period 1972-92. Sold with a copy of the above recommendation and service details.