Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War Wellington and Lancaster Rear Gunner’s D.F.C. group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer G. S. H. Davies, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew in at least 62 operational sorties with 70, 104 and 622 Squadrons, from various ‘Battle Area’ targets in North Africa to the heavily defended targets of Germany

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1945’; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, generally good very fine or better (7) £1800-2200

D.F.C. London Gazette 27 March 1945, the Recommendation states:

‘Warrant Officer Davies has now completed his 2nd tour of Operations throughout which he has performed his duties as an Air Gunner with exceptional skill and determination.

He arrived on the Squadron in September, 1944, having completed a successful 1st tour with 70 Squadron since when he has been employed as a spare gunner, flying with any crew as occasion demanded and the manner in which he has accepted his responsibilities is worthy of the highest possible praise.

The keenness of W.O. Davies is best illustrated by the fact that in the short time since he joined the Squadron he has completed 22 sorties occupying 106.20 operational flying hours the majority of which have been against heavily defended German targets and notwithstanding the extreme hazard of these missions he has frequently volunteered his services in the best interests of the Squadron Operational effort.

By unselfish devotion to duty and total disregard to personal danger the example set by this Warrant Officer has been an inspiration to other gunners of the Squadron and is a fitting culmination to an outstanding operational career of 62 sorties. For sustained endeavour and gallantry in action I strongly recommend W.O. Davies for an award of the D.F.C.’

George Samuel Henry Davies was born in Knowsley, Merseyside, in July 1914. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in August 1940. Davies carried out his initial training as an Air Gunner at No. 2 A.G.S. and No. 15 O.T.U., R.A.F. Harwell. He was posted overseas in October 1942, and joined 70 Squadron (Wellingtons), Abu Sueir, Egypt, in the same month. Davies flew as a rear gunner in 13 operational sorties with the Squadron, mostly over ‘Battle Area’ targets during the North African Campaign, before being attached to 104 Squadron.

Davies served with 104 Squadron (Wellingtons), Luqa, Malta, from December 1942. He flew in 8 operational sorties with the Squadron to targets in Tunisia, including 31 December 1942 ‘Ops Target Sfax. Never to be forgotten. One engine all the way home.’ (Log Book refers)

Davies returned to his parent Squadron, now based at Gardarbia West, Tunisia, in February 1943. He flew in a further 19 operational sorties with the Squadron, including a number against troops and armour concentrations during the Battle of the Mareth Line in March 1943, and similar targets during the Battle of Tunis in May 1943. Davies moved with the Squadron to Kairouan at the end of May, and took part in two attacks on Naples, including 16 June 1943 ‘Target. Naples. Harbour Installations and Marshalling Yards. Bomb Load 9 x 500lb. Leaflets Dropped. Photograph Attempted.’ (Ibid)

Having completed his tour, Davies returned to the UK in August 1943. He served as an Instructor with No. 2 A.G.S., prior to returning to operational flying when he was posted to 622 Squadron (Lancasters), Mildenhall, in October 1944. Davies flew in 22 operational sorties as a spare gunner with a number of crews, as either a rear gunner or a mid under gunner. The operational sorties included: Walcheren; Saarbrucken; Dortmund (3); Cleve; Duisburg (2); Bonn; Stuttgart; Neuss (2); Essen; Cologne; Homberg (3); Solingen; Koblenz; Castrop Rauxaul; Heinsberg and Bottrop.

Davies was discharged in February 1946, and died in the village of his birth in 1974.

Sold with the following related documentation: Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (12 April 1942 - 2 December 1944); Royal Air Force Service and Release Book; group photograph, including recipient, reverse annotated ‘All the boys at Lagos, Nigeria, W Africa’.