Auction Catalogue

17 & 18 May 2016

Starting at 11:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 86

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17 May 2016

Hammer Price:
£2,400

A good Second World War D.F.C. group of seven awarded to Flight Lieutenant T. Wilkie, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, late Scots Guards, who completed a tour of operations as Air Bomber in Lancasters of No. 619 Squadron in the period to July 1943 to February 1944, including the Hamburg ‘firestorm’ raids and eight trips to the “Big City”

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1944’, in its Royal Mint case of issue; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (2695001 Gdsmn. T. Wilkie, S. Gds.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine or better (7) £1800-2200

D.F.C. London Gazette 27 June 1944. The original recommendation states:

‘This Air Bomber has shown exceptional keenness during the 25 successful sorties he has made on his first tour. Eight of these sorties have been against Berlin. His proficiency has contributed in great measure to the success of his crew, he has been credited with four aiming point photographs, and his eagerness for operational work has set an excellent example to the Air Bombers and other flying personnel of the Squadron.’

Thomas Wilkie, a native of Seaham, Co. Durham, commenced his operational tour as an Air Bomber in No. 619 Squadron, a Lancaster unit operating out of Woodhall Spa, in July 1943. Teaming up with Flying Officer Arthur Sandison’s crew, he participated in attacks on Essen on the night of the 25th and on Hamburg on the nights of the 27th and 29th, these latter at the time of the ‘firestorm’ raids.

Between then and February 1944, Wilkie went on to complete a further 22 operational sorties, including such targets as Dusseldorf, Mannheim (twice), Munich and Stettin. Most notably, however, he completed eight trips to Berlin, four of them in January 1944. His final sortie was against Leipzig on the night of 19-20 February 1944. He was awarded the D.F.C. and ended the War as an instructor.

Sold with the recipient’s original R.C.A.F. Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book, covering the period August 1942 to July 1945, together with Air Ministry letter requesting a forwarding address for his D.F.C., dated 15 March 1948, and a wartime group photograph.