Auction Catalogue

17 September 1999

Starting at 12:00 PM

.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Regus Conference Centre  12 St James Square  London  SW1Y 4RB

Lot

№ 987

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17 September 1999

Hammer Price:
£1,000

A very good ‘anti-shipping’ D.F.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant (Pilot) N. Baron, No. 139 (Jamaica) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, later killed in action

Distinguished Flying Medal,
G.VI.R. (758054 Sgt., R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal; together with named condolence slip and box of issue addressed to his mother at Blackpool, Lancashire, extremely fine (4) £800-1000

D.F.M. London Gazette 8 July 1941. The recommendation states: ‘In May 1941 Sgt. Baron and Sgt Ullmer as Pilot and Wireless Operator/Air Gunner respectively, took part in an attack against a 6,000 ton enemy merchant vessell. Three direct hits were obtained and it was subsequently learned that the ship had been abandoned. A few days later, following a report that drifters were taking off the cargo, they again bombed the ship obtaining hits which caused smoke to be emitted.

In June 1941 Sgt’s. Baron and Ullmer participated in an attack on a large and strongly escorted convoy. The particular section attacked consisted of six merchant vessels and six destroyers. Bombs from one of the leading aircraft struck two of the ships, one of which was an ammunition ship which blew up with terrific force and the aircraft in which Sgt. Baron and Sgt Ullmer were flying was severely damaged by the blast. Despite the wrecking of his turret, Sgt Ullmer secured excellent photographs of the damage caused to the convoy and Sgt. Baron succeeded in flying the damaged aircraft back to base. Both airman have consistently displayed great keenness, courage and determination.’

Segeant’s Baron and Ullmer were both killed in action less than two weeks after the Gazetting of their D.F.M.’s on 20 July 1941, when their Blenheim aircraft was hit by flak and crashed into the sea off Le Touquet. Sergeant (Pilot) Norman Baron is buried at Blankenberge Town Cemetery, Belgium. Sold with various copied research detail, including a newspaper article with a picture of Baron.