Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Battle of Britain pilot’s group of four awarded to Flight Lieutenant D. H. Forrest, who damaged several enemy aircraft in Spitfires of No. 66 Squadron and No. 421 Flight during the period May to December 1940

1939-45 Star, copy clasp, Battle of Britain; Defence and War Medals; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Fg. Off., R.A.F.V.R.), good very fine and better (4) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Roy Bartlett Collection of Awards to the R.N.A.S., R.F.C. and R.A.F..

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Dudley Henry Forrest was selected for pilot training on joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in late 1937 and, on being called up in September 1939, converted to Spitfires and was posted as a Sergeant Pilot to No. 66 Squadron, at Coltishall.

Completing his first operational sortie on the 22 May 1940, he claimed his first success after the Squadron had moved to Kenley, when he was credited with a share in the destruction of a Do. 17 on 3 September. Just over a week later, No. 66 moved to Gravesend, and on the 27 September Forrest shared in a Ju. 88 in a combat at 8,000 feet:

‘Enemy aircraft was flying at about 2,000 feet above me on the port side. Enemy aircraft then turned to starboard with Spitfire on its tail - this aircraft broke away. I then delivered an attack from astern, opening fire at about 200 yards and closing to 100 yards, firing short bursts. I then broke away and the enemy aircraft’s port engine caught fire. The enemy aircraft then stalled and spun in and burst into flames.’

Posted to No. 421 Flight at Hawkinge on 7 October - out of which unit No. 91 Squadron would be formed in January 1941 - and shortly afterwards to West Malling , Forrest participated in numerous “Jim Crows”, specially designated coastal interception patrols. And his guns found their mark again in the following month, 421’s operations record book crediting him with a damaged Do. 17 over the Channel on 29 November - an aircraft of 6/KG1 which crash-landed at Merville - and another of the same on the very next day, ‘about two miles South of Folkestone’. Then in a combat at 8,000 feet and 25 miles south of Folkestone on 12 December, he added a Ju. 88 damaged to his tally:

‘Enemy aircraft was flying W.N.W. at 5,000 feet when first seen and then climbed up to 8,000 feet towards Dungeness. I also climbed to that height but a little to starboard in order to carry out a head-on attack. The enemy aircraft turned S.E. and dived towards the sea. I also turned and opened fire with long bursts at 300 yards, closing to 200 yards. The enemy aircraft then flew into clouds.’

His victim was an aircraft of 4(F)/121 which crash-landed at Caen, and he inflicted further damage with bursts of fire at a Bf. 110 in a combat off Ramsgate on 18 December:

‘Enemy aircraft was flying due West at 2,000 feet when sighted and turned South. I also turned and carried out a stern attack, opening up at 3000 yards range with two long bursts. The enemy aircraft started to dive towards the sea. I then broke off to starboard in order to let F./O. P. M. C. Hartas go in from the France side. When last seen the enemy aircraft was flying slowly towards sea-level. There was no return fire from the enemy aircraft.’

Their victim was from 3(F)11 and carried out a belly-landing at Calais.

Forrest remained employed in the newly formed 91 Squadron until July 1941, when he was posted to No. 53 O.T.U. for a period of rest. Subsequently commissioned, he was advanced to Flight Lieutenant in December 1943 and was awarded the Air Efficiency Award in July 1944 (AMO 763 of that year refers). He was released in July 1947.