Auction Catalogue

23 September 2011

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Download Images

Lot

№ 954

.

23 September 2011

Hammer Price:
£1,700

A scarce Second World War D.F.M. group of six awarded to Flight Sergeant A. Brown, Royal Air Force, who completed no less than 18 sorties to the “Big City” as a Mosquito Navigator

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (530644 F./Sgt. A. Brown, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, (copy) clasp, Air Crew Europe; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf, generally good very fine (6) £1400-1600

D.F.M. London Gazette 21 September 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘Flight Sergeant Brown has completed 40 operations against Germany, including 18 over Berlin, as Navigator of a Mosquito aircraft. By his co-operation with his pilot, coolness and devotion to duty, he has contributed in a large measure to a very successful series of operations and, in recognition, is recommended for the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.’

Andrew Brown, who had presumably seen earlier active service in Coastal Command, commenced his operational career with No. 128 Squadron in September 1944, the same month in which the Squadron was reformed at Wyton as a Mosquito light bomber unit in No. 8 (Path Finder Force) Group, part of the P.F.F’s Fast Night Striking Force. And it was in this capacity that Brown went on to complete 40 operational sorties in the period leading up to April 1945, the whole against German targets, including his remarkable tally of 18 trips to the “Big City”; sold with copied recommendation for the D.F.M., but his M.I.D. unverified.