Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A ‘1950’ A.F.M. group of six to Squadron Leader B. S. ‘Mr Canberra’ Bull, Royal Air Force, a Spitfire, Lancaster and Canberra pilot, who racked up at least 6,500 hours in Canberra’s - more ‘than any other service pilot in the world’, and who was awarded two Queen’s Commendations for Valuable Service in the Air

Air Force Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (1583781. Plt. II. B. S. Bull. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Malaya, Near East (Plt. Off. B. S. Bull. R.A.F.) unofficial retaining rod between clasps, as issued; mounted as originally worn together with recipient’s Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air emblem, generally very fine or better (6) £2800-3200

A.F.M. London Gazette 2 January 1950:
‘Pilot II Bull has been employed as a Flying Instructor at the Central Flying School since April, 1948. During part of this time he was undergoing a Pilot Attack Instructor Course. This non-commissioned officer has at all times shown an exceptional keenness and enthusiasm for flying and he has always made the maximum effort in his flying instructional duties at the School. He is a member of the Central Flying School Tiger Moth Pupil/Instructor Team which has given many flying demonstrations at various public displays. In appearance, bearing, personality and drive Pilot II Bull sets a fine example and is a credit to the Royal Air Force.’

Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air London Gazette 14 June 1969 and 31 December 1976.

Bruce Sydney Bull joined the Royal Air Force, aged 16, having lied about his age in 1941. In ‘an R.A.F career stretching from 1941 to 1976, Sqn Ldr Bull, who lived at St. Newlyn East near Newquay, had flown aircraft ranging from Spitfires to Canberra jet bombers and had served at RAF Mawgan for several years... After flying training in Canada, he returned to Britain and was posted to a Spitfire Squadron where he saw active service. After the war he progressed from Lancasters to Canberra bombers, Britain’s main nuclear weapon during the intense Cold War period. But after retirement from the RAF in 1976, he was far from finished with flying. He became an instructor for the MoD and later for the Malaysian Police Air Wing.’ (Cornish Guardian, 6 November 2003 refers)

After the war Bull was employed as part of Flying Training Command, and served as a Flying Instructor at C.F.S. Little Rissington from April 1948. By 1949 ‘Squadron Leader Bull has flown more hours in Canberras than any other service pilot in the world. The total of 6,500 hours is the equivalent of nine months continuous flying night and day. He has flown 13 marks of Canberra...’ (Article included in the lot refers).

Bull was described as an ‘outstanding pilot who had flown from the era of piston aircraft to the jet age’, and in light of which an official flypast of a C130 Hercules was organised for his funeral. The latter was held in Cornwall in 2003, and the low flying aircraft added a fitting finale to an eventful life, ‘the sight of the C130 Hercules plane flying from the Threemilestone direction towards Penmount Crematorium on Tuesday afternoon, caused a woman living in the Penair area to dial 999 and report that an aircraft was “going down.” A convoy of seven ambulances, police cars and three fire appliances with lights flashing and sirens wailing sped towards the area where reports indicated the aircraft was heading.’ (Truro & Mid Cornwall, West Briton, 6 November 2003 refers).

Sold with the following related items and documents: the Column Control Head from Canberra T/4 WJ 566, mounted on a wooden base for display and presentation purposes, the accompanying plaque reading ‘Presented to Sqn Ldr Bruce Bull, AFM by Airwork Services Ltd. and No. 7 Squadron, Royal Air Force, St. Mawgan, April 1976. From Canberra T/4 WJ 566’; (2) Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air Certificates, dated 14 June 1969 and 31 December 1976 respectively; and several newspaper cuttings and other ephemera.