Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War Hampden pilot’s campaign group of three awarded to Flight Sergeant, later Flight Lieutenant, P. Clark, Royal Air Force, who flew in at least 33 operational sorties with 106 Squadron, the vast majority over heavily defended German targets - including to Cologne and back five times

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for wear, good very fine (3) £300-£400

Patrick Clark carried out pilot training at No. 17 E. & R.F.T.S., Manchester, from June 1939. He was subsequently posted to No. 10 E.F.T.S., Calne, and to No. 2 Flying Training School in July 1940. He gained his ‘Wings’, 23 August 1940, and was posted to No. 14 O.T.U. in October 1940. Having converted to Hampdens at the latter and advanced to Sergeant, Clark was posted as a pilot for operational service with 106 Squadron at Finningley in February 1941. He flew in at least 33 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Hamburg; Bremen (2); Brest (4); Kiel (4); Dusseldorf (2); Cologne (7); Souest; Vegesack; Duisberg (2); Munchen Gladbach; Aachen; Wilhelmshaven; Frankfurt; St. Nazaire; Mannheim (2); Berlin and Rostock.

Having completed his tour, Clark was posted to No. 1514 B.A.T.F., also stationed at Coningsby, in October 1941. He advanced to Flight Sergeant in January 1942, and having been commissioned continued to serve as an instructor. Clark was posted to 18 (P) A.F.U., Church Lawford, in September 1943, and advanced to Flight Lieutenant in December 1943. He subsequently served as an instructor with No. 1533 B.A.T.F. at Church Lawford, and with No. 1536 B.A.T.F. at Grantham.

Sold with the following related original documentation: 3 R.A.F. Pilot’s Flying Log Books (13 June 1939 - 30 July 1942; 1 August 1942 - 10 September 1943 and 23 September 1943 - 30 April 1945); with some original photographs from recipient’s service career.