Orders, Decorations and Medals

A superb Beaughfighter night fighting D.F.M. group of seven awarded to Flight Sergeant F. G. Wilkinson, No. 153 Squadron, for his part in the destruction of four enemy aircraft whilst attached to the Northwest African Coastal Air Forces

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (656445 Sgt. F. G. Wilkinson, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, mounted as worn, good very fine (7) £900-1200

D.F.M. London Gazette 28 September 1943. The following recommendation is taken from official records: ‘Flight Sergeant Wilkinson is the Radio Navigator to Flying Officer Carter. He has, through great skill and determination, aided his pilot to destroy four enemy aircraft at night. His first successful interception took place after chasing the Hun through our own anti-aircraft defences. Although heavy ack-ack was exploding all around him and rocking the aircraft, he stuck to his job, with complete disregard for everything except putting his pilot in a position for his victory. Since then he has successfully intercepted three more enemy aircraft which his pilot has destroyed. He has carried out many successful patrols and escorts at night and due to his keenness, skill and co-operation with his pilot a first class team has resulted.’

The recommendation for Flying Officer A. R. Carter’s D.F.C., awarded at the same time, gives further details on these combats: ‘On January 29th he was flying a Beaufighter in the Algiers area, when he sighted a JU.88 at some fifteen miles north of Algiers. Although he himself was under our own ack-ack fire and caught in a cone of searchlights he destroyed his enemy. After a short burst, return fire from the enemy aircraft stopped, and the aircraft took violent evasive action losing height to 3,000 feet at 400 m.p.h. where a final burst sent it crashing into the bay in flames. Five minutes later he intercepted and blew up another JU.88 north of the bay.

On June 14th Flying Officer Carter was scrambled in the Bone area where he intercepted and destroyed a He.111. Unfortunately the debris of the He.111 covered the Beaufighter’s windscreen, but, nothing daunted, Carter carried out another interception and although he had to open the side window to see the enemy aircraft on the first occasion, he approached to minimum range and destriyed the He.111 with a long burst. This action took place in the Bone G.D.A.

Carter is a determined and relentless night fighter, his ability to carry out long arduous patrols at night without tangible results and still retain a high degree of keenness is in the best traditions of the service.’

At the time of their awards, Carter and Wilkinson had completed 44 operational sorties lasting 130 hours flying time.