Auction Catalogue

13 January 2021

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 196 x

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13 January 2021

Hammer Price:
£3,800

A Second War D.F.C. and Second Award Bar group of six awarded to Navigator Flight Lieutenant R. W. Board, 463 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1945, with Second Award Bar, this officially dated 1945; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Australia Service Medal, the Second War Campaign Stars and Medals all later issues, the last three officially engraved in the style associated with later issues ‘20610 Board R. W.’, nearly extremely fine (6) £1,800-£2,200

D.F.C. London Gazette 16 January 1945:
‘For a high standard of navigational accuracy in attacks on targets.’

The original Recommendation states: ‘Flying Officer Boards is now on his second operational tour. He has participated in numerous attacks against a wide range of targets. He has maintained the highest standard of navigational accuracy and a praiseworthy fortitude in the face of danger. In September 1944 he was navigator in an aircraft detailed to attack the battleship
Tirpitz. In appalling weather he navigated his aircraft to and from the target and the success of the operations was largely due to his determination and skill.’

D.F.C. Second Award Bar
London Gazette 22 May 1945:
‘For fortitude and gallantry in flying operations against the enemy.’

The original Recommendation states: ‘Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, this officer has continued to maintain a high standard of efficiency, courage, and tenacity. He has operated over many of the most heavily defended German targets and has obtained some excellent photographs. The successful filming of the attacks against the German battleship
Tirpitz were largely attributable to his skill, determination, and devotion to duty. he has always shown himself to be a navigator of outstanding skill.’

Robert William Board was born at Sydney, New South Wales, on 6 March 1917, and was granted a temporary Commission in the Royal Australian Air Force on 23 June 1941. He served as a Navigator with 463 Squadron during he Second World War, and was presented with his D.F.C. by H.R.H. the Governor-General of Australia at Government House, Sydney, on 9 August 1946.