Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Second War campaign group of four awarded to Anson, Seal and Vildebeest Navigator, Warrant Officer, later Squadron Leader, E. I. Williams, Royal Air Force, who flew in at least 87 operational sorties - 30 of which were flown in Ansons operating as part of No. 1 Coast Artillery Co-operation Unit, September 1939 - January 1940. The vast majority of the remainder were whilst flying with 273 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron, operating out of Ceylon

1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, generally very fine or better (4) £200-300

E. I. Williams joined the Royal Air Force as an A.C.2 in January 1939. He carried out initial training as a Navigator at No. 6 E. & R. F.T.S., Sywell, from February 1939. After serving at No. 3 A.O.S., Aldegrove and No. 2 A.O.S., Acklington, he was posted to No. 1 Coast Artillery Co-operation Unit, Thorney Island, Hampshire, 1 August 1939. The unit became operational 26 September 1939, and Williams flew in Ansons as a Navigator on at least 30 operational sorties, mainly convoy escort/submarine patrols, between September 1939 - January 1940.

Williams was posted for overseas duty, joining 273 Squadron (Seals and Vildebeests), China Bay, Ceylon, in March 1940. He flew on a large number of coastal reconnaissance operations with the Squadron between March 1940 - April 1942. The intensity of operations increased with the Japanese entering the war, as reflected in Williams’ Log Book: 5 April 1942 ‘A/S Patrol. Jap Raid on Base’; 9 April 1942 ‘A/S Patrol. Jap Air Raid on Colombo’ and 14 April 1942 ‘A/S Patrol. Fired on by unknown MV. Air Gunner Wounded. Returned to Base early. MV reported - Allied US.’

Having advanced to Warrant Officer, Williams was posted to the Communications Flight at Ratmalana, Ceylon, in May 1942. He continued to fly a large number of operational sorties, predominantly anti-submarine patrols, and coastal patrols over the approaches to Colombo. The Flight ceased to be operational at the end of November 1942. Williams was hospitalised for a month with dysentery in January 1943, before being briefly detached for service at No. 2 G. R. School, Andheri, Bombay.

Williams was commissioned Pilot Officer in March 1943, and posted as Navigation Officer to Station H.Q. Ratmalana. He was hospitalised with jaundice and dysentery, 24 March - 15 May 1943. After recuperation Williams was posted as Navigation Officer, Air Ops Room, 222 Group, Ceylon H.Q. Having advanced to Flight Lieutenant he was repatriated to the UK in October 1944. Williams subsequently served as an Instructor at No. 8 (O) A.F.U., Mona, Anglesey, January - July 1945.

After the war, Williams served at the H.Q. of the British Air Force of Occupation in Germany, before retraining in Accountancy and advancing to Squadron Leader. He served as Senior Secretarial Officer at R.A.F. St. Eval and as Senior Administrative Officer at R.A.F. Dishforth. Williams retired in in 1967.

Sold with Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (1 February - 3 March 1966); and 3 photographs (all annotated) including one of recipient in front of ‘Anson at Sywell Jan 1939.’