Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare South African Second World War D.F.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant L. W. Bates, No. 40 Squadron, South African Air Force

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (48186 A/Sgt., S.A.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; War Medal; Africa Service Medal, these last five all officially impressed (48186 L. W. Bates) together with several original letters and documents concerning the award and investiture of the D.F.M., and a news cutting with photo announcing the first D.F.M. to a Port Elizabeth man, good very fine and rare (6) £900-1200

D.F.M. London Gazette 23 September 1941: ‘As an Air Gunner, this N.C.O. has been on 48 sorties, many of which have been of an offensive nature. He has at all times displayed great courage, ability and coolness under ground fire which, on many occasions, has been very heavy and returned with vigour.’

Leonard William Bates was born at Cowes, Isle of Wight, on 9 August 1907, and was a meat inspector in Port Elizabeth before the war. He flew with No. 40 (S.A.A.F.) Squadron in Kenya, Italian Somaliland and Abyssinia from August 1940 until July 1941. He was subsequently posted to 33 Flight (Jan-Sept. 1942), 25 Squadron (Sept 1942 to March 1944), 23 Squadron (April-Aug. 1944), 29 Squadron (Aug. 1944 to April 1945), and with 10 Wing to the end of the war. Sold with full service history from South African records. One of only 22 D.F.M’s awarded to the South African Air Force during the Second World War.