Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A well-documented Second War Coastal Command Beaufighter and Mosquito Navigator’s campaign group of four awarded to Warrant Officer, later Flight Lieutenant, H. E. Bussey, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He flew in a large number of operational sorties with 235 and 333 Squadrons, mostly over the Bay of Biscay and off the Norwegian Coast - frequently engaging Ju.88’s and enemy shipping

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with Observer’s Brevet, nearly extremely fine (4) £300-£400

Harold Edward Bussey was born in January 1911, and was employed as an Accountant in London prior to the war. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force as an A.C.2 in September 1941, and carried out his initial training at No. 1 Signals School and No. 6 A.O.S. Bussey advanced to Sergeant in November 1942, and carried out further training at No. 3 School of General Reconnaissance.

After a stint at No. 9 O.T.U., Bussey was posted as a Navigator for operational service with 235 Squadron (Beaufighters) at Leuchars in May 1943. He advanced to Flight Sergeant, and flew in a large number of Rover Patrols off the Norwegian Coast, including attacking a convoy in harbour, 24 July 1943. In September, flying with Warrant Officer Stiff as his pilot, he carried out two eventful Bay of Biscay Patrols - 22 September 1943, ‘Met Ju.88, escaped in cloud’ and 25 September 1943, ‘Met 8 Ju.88 - 2 Destroyed.’ (Log Book refers)

Bussey moved with the Squadron to St. Angelo, and carried out escorts in the North Atlantic from January 1944. The Squadron moved to Portreath in March, and Bussey carried out patrols in conjunction with D-Day. On 9 June, ‘A-A Patrol - Bay Met Ju.88 - Shot Down.’ (Ibid)

Bussey and his pilot were attached to 333 Squadron (Mosquitoes) at Leuchars at the end of June 1944. They flew in a number of anti-submarine patrols off Norway. Whilst carrying out one of the latter, 25 July 1944, a ‘Sub. & Flak Ship attacked.’ (Ibid)

Having completed his tour in August 1944, Bussey was commissioned the following month. He subsequently advanced to Flight Lieutenant and was posted to 279 Squadron. Bussey was discharged in January 1947, and resided at 9 Bethune Close, Stoke Newington, London.

Sold with the following contemporary related documents: Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (23 April 1942 - 22 October 1945); R.A.F. Airman’s Service and Pay Book; R.A.F. Service and Release Book (2); Identity Card for R.A.F. and W.A.AF. Personnel (All Ranks), complete with photograph of recipient; a number of photographs from various stages of recipient’s service career, mostly annotated on the reverses; 17 wartime charts; and other ephemera.