Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Second World War Immediate D.F.M. group of six awarded to Flight Lieutenant W. R. Youens, Royal Air Force, a Pilot with No. 38 Squadron flying Wellington torpedo bombers in the Mediterranean

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1376216 Sgt., R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal, together with two Pilot’s Flying Log Books for the period March 1941 to June 1948, and a short history of No. 38 Squadron, good very fine (6) £800-1000

D.F.M. London Gazette 30 June 1942: ‘Sergeant William Robert Youens, No. 38 Squadron, and Sergeant Graham Arthur Cecil Carington, No. 38 Squadron. One night in May, 1942, Sergeant Youens and Sergeant Carington were the pilot and observer respectively of an aircraft which made a daring attack on a convoy in the Mediterranean. A hit with a torpedo was scored on an 8,000 ton motor vessel. Intense heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered from which the aircraft sustained damage but, by displaying skilful flying and navigation these airmen brought the aircraft to an advance base safely after an operation lasting 8 hours.’

Sergeant W. R. Youens joined No. 38 Squadron in the Middle East in December 1941 for his first tour of operations. Flying Wellington bombers specially equipped with torpedoes he completed 27 operational sorties, mostly night attacks against shipping in the Mediterranean. On the night of 14 July 1942 he was engaged in a bombing attack on Tobruk Harbour when he was forced to make an emergency landing, having prepared the crew to bale out. In addition to his successful strike on 25th May, for which he was awarded the D.F.M., Youens records another ‘possible hit’ against a motor vessel in a convoy off Tobruk on 8th September, his final sortie with 38 Squadron.

In October 1943 he joined No. 179 Squadron at Gibraltar for a second operational tour, flying Wellington bombers, and later Warwicks, on anti-submarine duties. He remained with 179 Squadron until November 1945.