Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An original Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book appertaining to Sergeant W. E. Hudson, Royal Air Force, who flew as a Wireless Operator in Wellingtons for at least 34 operational sorties with 142 Squadron, including the Thousand Bomber Raids to Essen and Cologne, before being shot down and killed by a night-fighter whilst ‘Gardening’, 9/10 July 1942, covering the period January 1941 - June 1942, generally in good condition £100-£140

W. E. Hudson resided with his wife at ‘Shenstone’, Brigsley Road, Waltham. Hudson served as an Wireless Operator/Air Gunner with the Royal Air Force during the Second War. He carried out his initial training at No. 7 B. & G.S., Stormy Down from March 1941, and at No. 11 O.T.U. from June 1941. Hudson was posted for operational flying to 142 Squadron (Wellingtons) at Binbrook, in July 1941. He flew in at least 34 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Rotterdam; Kiel, including 19 August 1941 ‘attacked by Ju.88 over Binbrook - hit by cannon & machine gun fire. Rear Gunner engaged - landed safely’ (Log Book refers); Cologne; Berlin; Kassel; Rostock (4); Stettin; Dunkirk; Bremen (2); Hamburg (4); Wilhelmshaven (2); Brest (2); Emden; Essen (4), including the Thousand Bomber Raid, 1 June 1942; Lubeck, 28 March 1942 ‘Low level attack. Bombed at 2000’. Down to 100’ for 80 miles over Germany - Target bombed - Huge fires and town in shambles. Rear Gunner destroyed searchlights and Front Gunner gun crew of flak gun. 2 good fixes. Returned at 1000’ (Ibid); Dortmund (2); Stuttgart; Cologne, the first Thousand Bomber Raid, 30 May 1942, and ‘Gardening’, 9/10 July 1942.

On the last ‘Gardening’ operation, Hudson flew with Flying Officer S. B. Critchison in Wellington IV Z1324 QT-A, ‘T/o 2337 Grimsby. Shot down by a night-fighter (Oblt. Ludwig Becker, 6./NJG2) and crashed in the North Sea, NE of Terschelling.’ (Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second War by W. R. Chorley refers)

All of the crew, with the exception of one, are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Sold with a number of photographs of the recipient in uniform, and a letter of condolence from R.A.F. Grimsby Station Commander to the recipient’s widow.