Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Flying Officer H. J. Wilkinson, 297 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, who towed gliders on the first day of Operation Market, 17 September 1944

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Australia Service Medal, the last three officially named ‘415597 H Wilkinson’, mounted as worn, the War Medal and Australian Service Medals on the incorrect ribands, good very fine (5) £300-400

Harold John Wilkinson was born at Kojonup, Western Australia, on 31 August 1923 and enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force at Perth on 30 November 1941. He was awarded his flying badge on 4 December 1942, and embarked overseas on 20 April 1943. Posted to No. 297 Squadron on 21 August 1944, he was promoted Warrant Officer on 1 November 1944. On 17 September he captained an Albemarle Mk VI that, taking off from R.A.F. Station Manston towed a glider for Operation Market, which successfully landed in the landing zone, before moving with the Squadron to R.A.F. Station Earls Colne and converting to Halifaxes. Commissioned Pilot Officer in April 1945, he was discharged on 24 December of that year, later joining the Royal Australian Air Force Reserves with the rank of Flying Officer in 1953.

Sold with copied research including the Glider Raid Report for Operation Market; enclosure for the Second War Medals; and a photographic image of the recipient.