Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War campaign group of three awarded to Wellington Air Gunner Sergeant W. Clark, Royal Air Force, who flew in at least 35 operational sorties with 425 (Alouette) Squadron, R.C.A.F. and 40 Squadron, the majority of which were to Sicily and Italian targets

1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal, with R.A.F. Cap badge, Air Gunner’s Brevet, good very fine (3) £200-£240

William Clark served during the Second War with the Royal Air Force. He carried out initial training as an Air Gunner at No. 4 A.G.S. from November 1942. After further training at 16 O.T.U. (during which time he carried out his first operational sortie in a Wellington, ‘Nickelling’ Rouen, 13 April 1943) and 310 F.T.U., Clark was posted overseas to join 425 (Alouette) Squadron, R.C.A.F. at Kairouan, Tunisia in July 1943. He flew in 14 operational sorties with the Squadron, as they were engaged with 205 Group, against targets in Sicily and Italy, July - August 1943.

Clark, staying in Tunisia, transferred to 40 Squadron in September 1943. The Squadron was similarly tasked to 425 Squadron, and Clark flew in 20 operational sorties fighting off Me.109’s on three separate occasions. Having completed his operational tour, Clark returned to the UK in May 1944. He advanced to Sergeant and served as an instructor at No. 4 A.G.S., Morpeth before being posted to 14 O.T.U. Subsequent postings in 1945 included to 1660 H.C.U., 44 and 50 Squadrons. In later life resided at 22 Shaftesbury Grove, Heaton, Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Sold with the following related original documentation: Royal Air Force Flying Log Book for Navigators Air Bombers Air Gunners Flight Engineers (22 November 1942 - 26 July 1945); five wartime letters from recipient addressed to his mother at ‘31 West Street, Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland’ and several photographs of recipient in uniform.