Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Second War Mosquito Pilot’s D.F.C. and Bar group of five awarded to Flight Lieutenant P. J. P. Trotman, Nos. 150 and 692 Squadrons, Royal Air Force

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar, the reverse of both officially dated 1945; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence & War Medals, mounted as worn, together with his two Pilot’s Flying Log Books for the period November 1940 to March 1946, handsomely bound as one in blue cloth embossed with his name and containing several photographs and a congratulatory telegram from ‘Bomber’ Harris, nearly extremely fine (5) £1400-1800

D.F.C. London Gazette 13 February 1945: ‘One night in December, 1944, Flying Officer Trotman was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Ludwigshaven. Shortly after leaving the target area, the starboard engine failed and soon after the port engine became defective and lost power. Considerable height was lost and it seemed as though the aircraft would have to be abandoned. The defective port engine suddenly resumed full power, however, and Flying Officer Trotman flew the aircraft to an airfield in France where he executed a safe landing with the undercarriage retracted. This officer has displayed commendable gallantry and outstanding skill and has at all times proved himself a cool and resolute captain.’

Bar to D.F.C. London Gazette 26 October 1945. The following details are taken from the original recommendation for the award of the Bar: ‘Flight Lieutenant Trotman has participated in numerous sorties since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. He has completed a second tour of operations against heavily defended targets in Germany including 19 attacks against Berlin. At all times he has set an inspiring example and as captain of aircraft, his skill and determination have been most marked.‘

Flight Lieutenant Percival John Povey Trotman commenced pilot training at 9 E.F.T.S., Anstey, in November 1940, and while still with No. 23 O.T.U. (Wellingtons) in the summer of 1942 participated in the all up 1000 bomber raids on Cologne and Essen. On 24 June 1942 he joined No. 150 Squadron (Wellingtons) at Snaith and started night operations against targets in France and Germany. Returning from a raid on Bremen on 4 September 1942 he crashed at Hag[?]bridge with the following result: ‘P/O Parry killed Maxie injured’. On the night of 16 / 17 September 1942 he suffered engine trouble and battery failure, ‘Bombed Alkmaar Aerodrome’ and ‘Landed Coltishall’. On completing 30 operations and his first tour, he went to No. 81 O.T.U. (Whitleys) at Whitchurch Heath; to 93 Group S.P.S. and to 83 O.T.U. as an instructor, before converting to Mosquitoes at No. 1655 M.T.U., Warboys, and joining No. 692 Squadron, part of the Light Night Striking Force, at Graveley in October 1944. With this unit of No. 8 Pathfinder Group, Trotman carried out regular journeys to Berlin, hitting the Reich’s capital time and again with 4,000 lb ‘cookie’ bombs. On 5 December however he was visiting Ludwigshaven when engine failure occurred, compelling his navigator Flying Officer ‘Tubby’ Tubbs to bale out over Lille. Trotman safely landed the defective Mosquito XVI also at Lille.