Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Second War 1943 ‘immediate’ B.E.M. group of four awarded to Leading Aircraftman W. H. Goode, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, for his gallantry as part of the R.A.F. St. Athan Crash Tender - when he rushed to the aid of a Lancaster that had crashed on the beach at Col-Hugh Point, Llantwit Major, 2 October 1942. Not only was the beach mined for defence purposes, it was a moonless night, and an airman had also been recently killed there by a mine. Despite this Goode pressed on and led the search. He had previously undertaken a similar approach when a Beaufighter stationed at St. Athan crashed on the runway and burst into flames

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (549750 L.A.C. William H. Goode. R.A.F.V.R.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted on card for display, very fine (4) £500-£700

B.E.M. London Gazette 14 March 1944:
‘One night in October, 1943, a Lancaster aircraft, returning from an operation, crashed on a beach. A crash tender was quickly on the scene, Leading Aircraftman Goode being a member of its crew. The aircraft was found to be burning fiercely. Despite the danger from ammunition, which was continually exploding, the crew of the tender successfully extinguished the fire. There being no sign of any occupants of the bomber, an extensive search was made of the aircraft and also in the neighbourhood of the beach. The search in this latter area was a particularly hazardous operation as the locality is heavily mined and personnel had been “warned off” in orders. Throughout the fire fighting work and during the subsequent search, which was undertaken in complete darkness, Leading Aircraftman Goode showed a conspicuous example of courageous and enthusiastic leadership, displaying complete disregard for his own safety. On a more recent occasion, he displayed similar courage and leadership when an aircraft crashed on a runway of his station and burst into flames. He made a prolonged attempt to save the pilot from the flames and, although unsuccessful, he eventually was able to recover the body.’

The original recommendation states: ‘At approximately 01.00 hours on the 2nd October, 1943, an aircraft, since proved to be Lancaster EE 110, belonging to No. 619 Squadron, No. 5 Group, Bomber Command, returning from operational service, crashed on the beach at Col-Hugh Point, Llantwit Major, at a point about 2 and half miles from this Station [St. Athan]. The Crash Tender from this Station was quickly on the scene of the crash and at the time of their arrival the aircraft was burning fiercely.

On the assumption that members of the crew might still be in the aircraft, the crew of the Crash Tender went into action at once to extinguish the fire, and they did this effectively, notwithstanding that until the fire was extinguished, ammunition in the aircraft was continuously exploding. The fire was put out at approximately 01.20 hours.

There being no sign of any member of the crew of the aircraft on the surface of the crash, the Crash Tender Crew then undertook an intensive search for the crew of the aircraft in the crash, and in the neighbourhood on the beach. This latter operation was equally hazardous, because of the known fact that the beach in this locality is mined and airmen are warned off in Station Standing Orders. On the 4th April, 1943, an airman from this Station was killed on the beach in this locality by exploding a mine. It will also be appreciated that at that hour in the morning it was completely dark and there was no moon.

Throughout the whole operation LAC. Goode was in the lead, and gave a conspicuous example of courageous and enthusiastic leadership, showing complete disregard for his own personal safety from beginning to end.

LAC. Goode has, on a recent occasion, displayed a similar example of courage and leadership when a Beaufighter from this Station crashed on the runway and burst into flames. This airman made a prolonged attempt to save the pilot from the flames, and, though unsuccessful, he eventually recovered the body.’

William Henry Goode was born in Wednesbury, Staffordshire in March 1920, and enlisted in the Royal Air Force in March 1938. He advanced to Leading Aircraftman in December 1940, and served at Habbaniya, Iraq, October 1938 - August 1941, during which time Rashid Ali and his generals laid siege to the R.A.F. Station in May 1941.

Goode returned to the UK in April 1942, and was subsequently posted to R.A.F. St. Athan, Wales in June 1943. He was a member of the Crash Tender, and on the night in question (see citation above) the Lancaster concerned was returning from a Nickel raid on Hagen. Piloted by Flying Officer D. F. Joss, the aircraft had carried out the raid but seemingly got lost on its. return to Woodhall Spa. The seven members of the crew all died, their bodies being recovered from the Bristol Channel. It is presumed that they had bailed out prior to the crash.

Goode was discharged medically unfit, as a consequence of Bilateral Deafness, in September 1944.

Sold with recipient’s R.A.F. Parchment Certificate of Service.