Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘1945’ Lancaster bomb aimer’s D.F.C. group of five awarded to Battle of Britain veteran, Flight Lieutenant L. L. Pearse, Royal Air Force, who had flown operationally as a Blenheim Observer with 236 Squadron from September 1940, before transferring to 460 (R.A.A.F.) Squadron in October 1944. He flew in at least 36 operational sorties with 460 Squadron, including his first - a daylight raid to Cologne, 25 October 1944 - which was piloted by Group Captain Hughie Edwards, V.C., D.S.O., D.F.C.

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1945’, and additionally privately engraved ‘142916 F/Lt. L. L. Pearse’; 1939-45 Star, 1 clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, campaign awards all engraved ‘142916 F/Lt. L. L. Pearse’, mounted for display, generally good very fine (5) £3,000-£4,000

D.F.C. London Gazette 21 September 1945, the original recommendation states:

‘F/L Pearse is an Air Bomber who has completed a tour of 36 operations with Bomber Command. These include attacks on such heavily defended targets as Cologne (2), Dortmund (3), Hanover, Mannheim and Gelsenkirchen.

F/L Pearse is an outstanding member of an excellent crew. His ability as a Bomb Aimer has many times been confirmed by aiming point photographs. His efforts have been in no small manner responsible for his crew becoming one of the most reliable and efficient on the Squadron.

This officer has always displayed a great willingness to take part in any operation. His courage, determination and devotion to duty have been an inspiration to the whole Squadron. In view of F/L Pearse’s splendid example keenness and skill I recommend the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Remarks by Station Commander:

Under a calm and quiet manner this officer has shown exceptional skill and determination. His co-operation combined with his fearlessness in the face of the fiercest enemy opposition has made him an outstanding member of a gallant crew.

His cool, calm instructions combined with his own outstanding precision have made him an exceptional Bomb Aimer, and I strongly recommend that his consistent good record be recognised by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.’

Leslie Lewis Pearse was born in Watchet, Somerset, in April 1915. He joined the Royal Air Force as an Airman u/t Observer in September 1939, and carried out initial training at No. 4 A.O.N.S. Coventry, January - May 1940. After further training at No. 8 Bombing and Gunnery School, Evanton, Pearse was posted for operational flying to 236 Squadron (Blenheims) St. Eval, 25 September 1940. The Squadron were employed as part of Coastal Command on fighter and reconnaissance duties, and Pearse flew in at least 10 operational sorties during the Battle of Britain.

Pearse flew in 28 operational sorties with 236 Squadron, before being posted as an instructor to 24 Commonwealth Air Observer School, R.A.F. Moffat, Rhodesia, in January 1941. He advanced to Warrant Officer, and then was commissioned Pilot Officer in November 1942. Pearse returned to the UK at the start of 1944, and carried out an Air Bomber refresher course at No. 8 A.F.U., Mona, May - June 1944. After postings to No. 30 O.T.U. and No. 1667 H.C.U., he was posted for operational flying with 460 (R.A.A.F.) Squadron (Lancasters), Binbrook, in October 1944.

Pearse advanced to Flight Lieutenant in November 1944, and flew in at least 36 operational sorties with 460 Squadron, including: Cologne (2), including 25 October 1944 (his first operation as a Bomb Aimer - his pilot being the Station Commander, Group Captain Hughie Edwards, V.C., D.S.O., D.F.C.); Glesenkirchen; Wanne-Eikel; Dortmund (3); Duren; Aschaffenburg; Skagerrak (2); Ulm; Saint Vith; Munchen Gladbach; Nuremburg; Hanover; Hanau (2); Stuttgart; Wiesbaden; Bottrop; Cleve; Politz; Dresden; Mecklenburg Bay; Heligoland Bight (2); Mannheim; Kattegat (2); Chemnitz; Kassel; Erin; Misburg; Bruchstrasse and Bremen.

Flight Lieutenant Pearse was released from the Royal Air Force, 29 September 1945.

Sold with the following related original items and documents: named card box of issue for campaign awards, addressed to ‘F/L L. L. Pearse, D.F.C., 13 Shipton Grove, Swindon, Wilts.’, with enclosure slip; Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (5 January 1940 - 23 March 1945), slightly water damaged, very sparse entries for 1942 to October 1943, which would suggest that a log is possibly missing; named Buckingham Palace enclosure for D.F.C.; Certificate of Service and Release; R.A.F. Service and Release Book, and copied research.