Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘1945’ D.F.C. group of four awarded to Stirling and Lancaster wireless operator, Warrant Officer, later Flying Officer, R. D. Hamilton, 90 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew in at least 45 operational sorties, including as part of a Master Bomber crew

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1945’; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (4) £1,400-£1,800

J. B. Hayward, 1968 (£35).

D.F.C. London Gazette 27 March 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘This Wireless Operator has now completed a large number of operational sorties in Stirlings and Lancaster aircraft to many of Germany’s most heavily defended targets. He has displayed, and continues to do so, the highest standard of keenness, and applies himself with the utmost diligence to any task or operation which he is asked to undertake. He has displayed qualities of incalculable value as a crew member, and his efficient performance as a wireless operator has set an exemplary standard worthy of emulation. His captain has always been loud in his praises for the manner in which Hamilton carries out his work with efficiency but unobtrusive modesty. I recommend that his courage and devotion to duty be recognised by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.’

Robert Douglas Hamilton joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as an A.C. 2, and qualified as a Wireless Operator in May 1941. After further training he advanced to Sergeant Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in May 1942. Hamilton was subsequently posted to 11 O.T.U., Bassingbourn, and No. 1651 Conversion Unit, Waterbeach. Whilst at Bassingbourn he flew in a Wellington on his first operational sortie to Essen on 16 September 1942. Hamilton was posted for operational service with 90 Squadron (Stirlings) at Bottesford in December 1942. He flew in at least 25 operational sorties with the Squadron between February and June 1943, including: Lorient (3); Bayonne; Nuremberg; Cologne (2); Hamburg on 3 March 1943, when his aircraft was ‘coned for 7 mins’ (Log Book refers); Essen (2); St. Nazaire; Berlin (2); Frankfurt; Stuttgart; Mannheim on 16 April 1943, ‘Attacked By 2 Me.109’s:- S/O Prop. Fell Off’ (Ibid); Rostock; Duisberg (2); Dortmund; Bochum; Dusseldorf; Le Creusot; Mulheim; and Gelsenkirchen.

Hamilton, having completed his first tour of operations, was posted as an instructor to 11 O.T.U. (Wellingtons), Westcott in July 1943. He stayed employed in that capacity until posted to No. 3 L.F.S. in September 1944. Hamilton returned to operational flying with 90 Squadron (Lancasters) at Tuddenham at the end of September 1944. He flew in at least 19 operational sorties with the Squadron with Squadron Leader A. R. Scott D.F.C. and Bar as his pilot, including: Neuss (2); Calais Battle Area (2); Saarbrucken; Klieve; Bonn; Kattegat; Essen; Leverkusen; Koblenz; Castrop-Rauxel; Fulda; Dortmund; (2) Oberhausen; Siegen; Trier, when employed as Master Bomber crew on 23 December 1944; and Krefeld.

Hamilton was awarded the D.F.C. at the end of his second tour of operations, and posted to 30 O.T.U. at Gamston in February 1945. He was posted to Transport Command for Signals Briefing Duties in June 1945, and was subsequently posted to 229 Group in India before being discharged in May 1946.

Sold with recipient’s Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (4 May 1942 - 20 October 1945).