Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘1944’ D.F.C. group of six awarded to Wellington, Lancaster and Halifax rear gunner, Flight Sergeant, later Pilot Officer, H. D. Ramey, Royal Canadian Air Force, who flew in at least 36 operational sorties with 432 Squadron - including to Berlin and back 4 times, the Coutances railway bridge on D-Day, 6 June 1944, and a number of attacks on V Rocket sites

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1944’; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France and Germany; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with Overseas Bar; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, mounted for wear, with R.C.A.F. Cap Badge, buttons and cloth insignia, generally very fine or better (6) £2000-2400

D.F.C. London Gazette 12 December 1944, the Recommendation states:

‘As rear gunner this Officer has participated in a large number of sorties, and has displayed great keenness and devotion to duty throughout. His constant vigilance has enabled his pilot to avoid combat on many occasions, and successfully complete many missions. He has proven to be a cheerful and willing worker with his fellow men in the Gunnery section.

For his airmanship, fine record and intense loyalty, Pilot Officer Ramey is strongly recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross.’

Harold Douglas Ramey was born in Talbotville, Ontario, Canada, in 1915. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Sarnia, Ontario, in August 1942. Ramey initially trained as an Air Gunner in Fairey Battles at No. 3 B. & G. School, McDonald Manitoba, from April 1943. Having completed his course in June 1943, Ramey was posted to the UK. He carried out further training in Wellingtons at 23 O.T.U., prior to being posted for operational flying with 432 (Leaside) Squadron, R.C.A.F., in October 1943. Based at Skipton-on-Swale, Ramey flew in two minelaying operational sorties in the Squadron’s Wellingtons prior to it’s conversion to Lancasters and then Halifaxes. In all he flew in at least 36 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Frankfurt; Berlin (4); Stettin; Brunswick; Magdeburg; St. Ghislain; St. Louvain; Neufchatel; Houlgate (coastal battery), 5 June 1944; Coutances (railway bridge - Cherbourg Penninsula) D-Day, 6 June 1944; Le Mans; Cambrai; Bolougne; Sterkrade Holten; St. Martin L’Hortier; Bientques (2); Ardouval; Metz; Biennais; Caen; Wesseling; Ferfay; Hamburg; Ferme de Forestel; Bois de Cassont; Mont Richard; Bremen and Brest. Ramey advanced from Flight Sergeant to Pilot Officer in 1944.

Sold with the following related documentation: Royal Canadian Air Force Flying Log Book for Aircrew other than Pilot (22 May 1943 - 26 August 1944); newspaper cutting and a copy of an official photograph including recipient in uniform. A file of copied research.