Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War D.F.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant A. G. Mullins, Royal Air Force, who was decorated for his gallant services as a Flight Engineer in Lancasters of No. 61 Squadron in 1943

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (652352 Sgt. A. G. Mullins, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine or better (5) £1,600-£1,800

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, February 2015.

D.F.M. London Gazette 14 September 1943.

The original recommendation states: ‘This N.C.O. has completed 26 successful sorties and on every occasion his skilful handling of the engines, even over the most heavily defended targets, has given his pilot complete confidence. He has taken part in raids on Berlin (twice), Pilsen, Friedrickshaven, Spezia (landing in North Africa), and targets in the Ruhr. On many occasions his work has called for special mention by his Captain. For his example of cheerfulness and courage and for his ability and devotion to duty, he is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.’

Alfred George Mullins qualified as a Flight Engineer in November 1942 and, having converted to Lancasters at Swinderby, was posted to No. 61 Squadron at Syerston in early February 1943. Completing his first sortie at the end of the same month - a ‘gardening’ trip to Juist - he made two trips to Berlin in March, in addition to carrying out another ‘gardening’ operation.

April saw Mullins complete no less than nine further sorties, including the long haul to Spezia via North Africa, in addition to attacks on Duisberg (twice), Essen, Kiel, Pilsen, Stettin and Stuttgart; and May saw him participate in seven sorties, among them return visits to Duisberg, Essen and Pilsen, in addition to Dortmund (twice), Dusseldorf and Wuppertal - his flying log book entry for the attack on Essen on the 27th states ‘hydraulics shot away’.

Having then flown return trips to Dusseldorf and Spezia in June, in addition to attacks on Bochum, Friedrickshaven and Gelsenkirchen, Mullins completed his final sortie on 9 July 1943 - another attack on Gelsenkirchen. The Squadron’s O.R.B. states:

‘On returning encountered heavy flak 5-10 miles south of Bonn and, in the course of defensive action, the Navigator was hit by the only fragment of shrapnel which penetrated the fuselage, and died shortly afterwards. Thence with the aid of the Wireless Operator and the second Bomb Aimer who carried out rough navigation, Pilot Officer Parsons brought the a/c safely back to Manston.’

The fatality was Pilot Officer R. S. Dyson, R.A.F.V.R., who was buried in Hendon Cemetery.

Sold with the recipient’s original R.A.F. Navigator’s, Air Bomber’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (Form 1767 type), with entries covering the period January 1943 to April 1945 - his pencilled name under ‘Certificate of Qualifications’ appears to have been amended and the flanking page to his first flight entries is lacking, but otherwise a complete and original record of his career; together with copied O.R.B. entries for his time in No. 61 Squadron and other research.