Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War 1944 D.F.C. group of eight awarded to Beaufort, Blenheim, Maryland and Baltimore pilot, Flight Lieutenant E. A. Boyce, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who during his career flew in over 30 different types of aircraft, undertook 2,553 hours and 50 minutes of flying hours during the Second War, and flew at least 164 operational sorties - many of which were with 69 Squadron, whilst based at Luqa, Malta

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1944’; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Flt. Lt. E. A. Boyce. R.A.F.V.R.) mounted for display, with Malta, 50th Anniversary Medal, generally very fine (9) £1,600-£2,000

D.F.C. London Gazette 7 January 1944:

‘Flight Lieutenant Boyce is a pilot of Number 69 (G.R.) Squadron, and has now completed one hundred and fifty operational sorties involving a total of six hundred and ninety four hours flying. Since his arrival on Malta on 24th April 1943, he has flown forty eight sorties with a total of two hundred hours flying.

This officer has been engaged in the Mediterranean theatre of operations continuously since 9th June 1941. Operating from the Middle East with Blenheim, Maryland and Baltimore aircraft he took part in many offensive operations, including low level shipping strikes and patrols. During his tour of duty in Malta his work on anti-submarine patrol has been of the highest value to Allied convoys.

Flight Lieutenant Boyce’s flying ability has always been of the highest and he has spared no effort to ensure that each task allotted to him is carried out to a satisfactory conclusion.

By his example and enthusiasm for operations this officer has proved himself an invaluable member of the Squadron. ’

Ernest Avery Boyce was ‘born in 1915 in Bristol, he was educated at South Bristol Central School. Enlisted for air crew in 1939, commissioned in 1942.

Act. Flt. Lt. Boyce is the second of three brothers in the R.A.F. and Fleet Air Arm, the youngest of whom, Sgt. A.G. Pter Boyce, is now a P.O.W. in Germany.

A son of Mr and Mrs T. G. Boyce, Flt. Lt. Boyce, was a fitter with Bristol Gas Co. before entering the R.A.F. a few months before the war. Went to the Middle East 2 and half years ago. Has made a dozen operational flights. He is well known in Bristol sporting circles, being a keen track runner with the Imperial Club, and boxing champion of South Central School.’ (newspaper cutting included with the lot refers)

Boyce joined the R.A.F.V.R. in March 1939, and carried out his initial pilot training at No. 33 and No. 11 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training Schools. He was posted for operational flying to 42 Squadron (Beauforts), Thorney Island, in May 1940. Boyce flew in one operational sortie with the Squadron, which was the bombing raid on Vaernes Airfield, Norway, 20 June 1940.

After postings to No. 1 School of General Reconnaissance, No. 1 O.T.U., Silloth and to the Coastal O.T.U. at Chivenor, Boyce was posted to 86 Squadron (Blenheims), Gosport in February 1941. The Squadron were engaged in convoy escorts duties off the East Anglian coast from the end of March 1941. Boyce flew on a number of escorts before being posted overseas for service with 203 Squadron.

Having flown via Gibraltar and Malta, Boyce joined his new squadron at Kabrit, Egypt during the first week of June 1941. He flew Blenheims in a large number of reconnaissance missions over the Mediterranean, and advanced to Warrant Officer in October of 1941. Boyce was commissioned Pilot Officer in March 1942, and continued to be engaged on anti-submarine and shipping patrols - now in Marylands.

Boyce was posted to No. 2 Aircraft Delivery Unit in August 1942, and flew a large number of aircraft across Africa over the following months. Boyce advanced to Flying Officer, and returned to operational flying with 203 Squadron (Baltimores) in February 1943. He briefly commanded ‘A’ Flight, before transferring to 69 Squadron (Baltimores) at Luqa, Malta, in April 1943. Boyce flew a large number of shipping reconnaissance and anti-submarine patrols between April - December 1943. He married a Maltese girl during his posting, 17 July 1944.

Having advanced to Flight Lieutenant in June 1943, Boyce returned to the UK and was posted as a pilot to Ferry Command Pool at Melton Mowbray in January 1944. After a number of postings, Boyce undertook a course to qualify as an instructor at No. 3 Instructors School, Lulsgate, from October - November 1944. Subsequent postings included the Empire Flying School, Hullavington; 105 O.T.U., Bramcote; No.. 1381 Transport Conversion Unit, Desborough; and No. 1383 Transport Conversion Unit.

Boyce was posted to the Metropolitan Communication Squadron in March 1946, and his final posting was to the R.A.F. Establishment Transport Flight at Farnborough in May 1948 (awarded the Air Efficiency Award in March 1946). He left the service in December 1948, and subsequently joined 2152 Squadron, Air Training Corps at Filton, Bristol, in 1955.

Flight Lieutenant Boyce died at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, in September 1993. During his career he flew in over 30 different types of aircraft, undertook 2,553 hours and 50 minutes of flying hours during the Second War, and flew at least 164 operational sorties.

Sold with the following original documentation: named Buckingham Palace enclosure for the D.F.C.; newspaper cuttings relating to the award of the D.F.C.; portrait photograph of recipient in uniform; named acknowledgement of application to Maltese Government for commemorative medal; extensive copied research and a modern computer generated replica of recipient’s Flying Log Book - covering the period April 1939 - September 1948, taken from his original pencil annotations made in November 1964 (also included).