Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Second War 1945 ‘Path Finder Force’ Master Bomber’s D.F.C. group of seven awarded to Lancaster pilot, Wing Commander V. G. Owen-Jones, Royal Air Force, who first flew operationally in Wellingtons with 70 Squadron in the Middle East, before carrying on in the same role with 108 Squadron and amassing at least 35 operational sorties with the two squadrons over a variety of targets from Benghazi to Crete, 1941-42.

Having carried out 2 operational sorties whilst serving with O.T.U.’s, Owen-Jones converted to Lancasters and flew in at least 37 operational sorties with 582 Squadron as part of Path Finder Force. Flying a number of times as Deputy Master Bomber, Owen-Jones flew as Master Bomber on raids to Hanau, Kiel and Wangerooge.

Owen-Jones commanded 52 (Transport Support) Squadron during the emergency in Malaya from January 1949, and flew Dakotas in at least 30 operational sorties with the Squadron - which was actively engaged in supply-dropping to security forces in the jungle. He was mentioned in despatches for his service during this campaign

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1945’ 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Sqn. Ldr. V. G. Owen-Jones. R.A.F.) mounted as originally worn, light contact marks, generally very fine (7) £2,400-£2,800

D.F.C. London Gazette 13 April 1945, the original recommendation states:

‘Squadron Leader Owen-Jones has successfully completed a large number of sorties both in the Middle East and European theatre of operations. Since being with Path Finder Force he has shown himself to be an excellent captain, with a high degree of courage and determination.

His cheerfulness and confidence have inspired a high standard of efficiency in his crew. He is strongly recommended for a non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Remarks by Station Commander:

‘This officer has taken part in a large number of successful operational sorties against heavily defended German and enemy occupied targets. An outstanding captain of aircraft, he has consistently displayed keenness, courage and devotion to duty, and I can strongly recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 16 September 1949:

‘For distinguished service in Malaya.’

Vivian Glyn Owen-Jones was born in June 1920, and joined the Royal Air Force as a Pilot under training in September 1939. After carrying out initial training, including at No. 3 F.T.S., South Cerney, Owen-Jones was commissioned Pilot Officer in October 1940. He was posted as a pilot to 26 (Army Co-operation) Squadron (Lysanders) at Gatwick, in December 1940.

Owen-Jones was posted to No. 15 O.T.U., Harwell, to convert to a bomber role, in May 1941. Having spent time in Wellingtons, including flying a nickel raid to Le Mans, 17 June 1941, Owen-Jones was posted overseas for operational flying with 70 Squadron (Wellingtons), Kabrit, Egypt, in July 1941. He flew in at least 20 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Benghazi (11), including 11 September 1941, ‘Buildings and Dock Installations. Bombs Jettisoned in Target Area Due to Intense and Accurate A.A. Fire. H.T. 9000’ 16 Searchlights. 500lb 3 Containers of Incendiaries. Results Not Observed. Weather Good. A/C Damaged. Shrapnel Through Nose & Wing’ (Log book refers); Corinth Canal (2); Heraklion aerodrome, Crete (2); Bardia; Maritza Aerodrome, Rhodes; Derna (2) and Piraeus, Greece.

Owen-Jones transferred to 6 (Army Co-operation) Squadron (Lysanders) at Wadi Halfa, in November 1941. He was mainly tasked with ferrying Kittyhawks and Hurricanes, until he returned to operational flying with 108 Squadron (Wellingtons and Liberators), Fayid, at the end of February 1942. He flew in at least 15 operational sorties, including: Benghazi (7), including 26 April 1942 ‘Diversion on Docks and Harbour Installations... Bombs seen to Burst on Buildings at Base of the Outer Mole... Heavy Flak. Very Accurate. About 20 Searchlights. A/C Holed in Wing Causing Petrol Leak. Landed at LG. 09’ (Ibid); Calatos Aerodrome, Rhodes; Heraklion Aerodrome, Crete; Crete, Syros, Samos, Stampalia and Piscopi Islands; S.W. Greece; Mount Olympus Area, Greece; Crete Supply Dropping to Agents (2), including 26 May 1942 ‘Supply Dropping on Two Areas to Waiting Agents. 1st Area 6 Containers Dropped in 2 Lots. From 3,500’. 2nd Area 6 Containers with Food, Arms, Clothing etc Dropped in One Stick From 6,800’... 1 Enemy Fighter Seen but not Engaged’ (Ibid); and Supply Dropping to Agents in Central Greece.

Owen-Jones returned to the UK, and served with No. 1446 Ferry Flight, Moreton, September 1942 - February 1943. Having advanced to Flight Lieutenant, he was posted for instructor duties with the Gunnery Flight, No. 20 O.T.U., Lossiemouth, in March 1943. Owen-Jones flew in a Lancaster for a sortie to Hanover whilst based there, 27 September 1943.

Having advanced to Squadron Leader, Owen-Jones was posted to carry out a Path Finder Force course at Warboys in September 1944. He returned to operational flying when he was posted to 582 (Path Finder Force) Squadron (Lancasters) at Little Staughton in October 1944. Owen-Jones flew in at least 37 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Saarbrücken; Duisburg (2); Wilhelmshaven; Essen (3); Cologne (4); Dusseldorf; Bochum; Castrop-Rauxel (2), including 15 March 1945, when flew as Deputy Master Bomber; Heimbach Dam; Ludwigshaven; Ulm; Munchen-Gladbach; Troisdorf; Nuremburg; Leuna; Stuttgart; Dortmund; Mannheim; Dessau; Hanau, 19 March 1945, when flew as Master Bomber for the first time; Sterkrade, 24 March 1945, when flew as Deputy Master Bomber; Hanover; Lützkendorf, 4 April 1945, when flew as Deputy Master Bomber; Kiel (2) including, 9 April 1945, when flew as Master Bomber; Plauen; Heligoland, 18 April 1945, when flew as Deputy Master Bomber; Bremen; Wangerooge, 25 April 1945, when flew as Master Bomber and to Rotterdam.

After the war Owen-Jones served as S.P.S.O. at A.H.Q. Ceylon, before being posted to Command 52 (Transport Support) Squadron (Dakotas), Singapore, in January 1949. During the emergency in Malaya the Squadron was actively engaged in supply-dropping to security forces in the jungle. Owen-Jones flew in at least 30 operational sorties with the Squadron, between February - December 1949. After completing his tour, Owen-Jones was posted to Air Plans, H.Q. Transport Command. Subsequent postings included as Officer Commanding Fighter Command Communications Squadron, Bovingdon; Officer Commanding No. 72 N.A.W. Squadron and as Master Controller at R.A.F. Wartling from July 1960. During this time he advanced to Wing Commander, underwent a jet conversion course and flew Meteors and Javelins.

Sold with the following documents: 2 Royal Air Force Log Books, both privately bound in leather, No. 1 cover embossed in gold lettering ‘V. G. Owen-Jones Pilot’s Flying Log Book June 1940 - April 1944’, and No. 2 cover embossed in gold lettering ‘V. G. Owen-Jones Pilot’s Flying Log Book April 1944 -’; Recommendation for recipient to take part in a R.A.F. Flying College Course, which provides a lengthy C.V.; Operation Sortie sheets, with recipient’s role in each raid; R.A.F. Form 1369, Confidential Report; R.A.F. Swimming Proficiency Certificate, dated 15 January 1960.