Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part III)

Five: Flight Lieutenant R. V. Galbraith-Gunner, Royal Air Force

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, extremely fine (5) £350-400

R. V. Galbraith-Gunner commenced training as Wireless Operator / Air Gunner in September 1942, attended No. 21 Operational Training Unit at Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, where he converted to Wellingtons, and was embarked for the Middle East in March 1943. Joining No. 70 Squadron later that month, he went on to complete 39 operational sorties against a wide range of targets in North Africa, Italy, Sardinia and Sicily, prior to being “rested” at No. 77 O.T.U. in Palestine in February 1944. Commissioned as a Pilot Officer in December of the same year, he remained similarly employed until the end of hostilities.

Post-war, having been granted a permanent commission, he was employed at the Air Ministry in London 1946-49, but he returned to flying duties as a Signaller in No. 230 O.C.U. at Scampton in 1950. He had meanwhile, been advanced to Flight Lieutenant. Relatively lengthy postings with No. 50 and No. 57/104 Squadrons followed at Waddington but he was “grounded” again in 1952 to attend a Russian language course, following which he held several appointments out in West Germany before returning to the U.K. in 1955. He retired in the 1960s, having latterly been employed at the R.A.F.’s Intelligence (Air Ministry) School.

Sold with the recipient’s original Flying Log Book, covering the period September 1942 to October 1958.