Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Sergeant Navigator G. R. Fernee, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action when his Halifax was shot down during Operation Frothblower, the raid on the Škoda Works, 16-17 April 1943

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Air Council enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to Mrs. M. S. Fernee, 48 Harrow Road, Carshalton Beeches, Surrey’, good very fine (3) £300-£400

George Richard Fernee was born on 21 May 1911 and joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, training as a Navigator at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. He served during the Second World War as a Sergeant Navigator with No. 77 Squadron (Halifaxes). He was killed in action during Operation Frothblower, when, on the night of 16-17 April 1943, 327 heavy bombers set out to destroy the Škoda Works at Plzen, Czechoslovakia. In an attempt to minimise civilian casualties the raid was flown at almost full moon, at low level, and over a distance of over 1,700 miles, resulting in the heaviest losses for Bomber Command up to that date. 38 aircraft were lost, including Fernee’s Halifax, which was shot down by Oberleutenant Jakob Bender at 00:30 on 17 April, and crashed in the Mauren valley. Of the crew of seven, four (including Fernee) were killed, with the other three being taken Prisoner of War. Fernee is buried alongside his crew-mates in Durnback War Cemetery, Germany. His medals were sent to his wife, Mary Saxby Fernee.

Sold with a large quantity of original photographs, including one of the recipient and his crew; various letters and telegrams sent to the recipient’s wife; and a signed copy of the book A Shaky Do!, The Škoda Works Raid, by P. W. Cunliffe.