An Historically Important Group of Seven World War II Medals to Squadron Leader Sydney Clayton, RAF; Comprising DSO, DFC and Bar, DFM, Air Crew Star, 1929-45 Star, Defence Medal and War Medal, Plus Minatures. As one half of '...the most famous bombing team in the RAF..' Sq Leader Clayton survived 145 operational flights as a navigator and pilot with 107 Squadron, 105 Squadron and 464 Squadron, flying mainly Blenheims and De Havilland Mosquitoes. The Lot also includes over one hundred photographs, including operational photographs, telegrams, letters including those from Air Marshall Harris and press cuttings, a picture presented by De Havilland on his 100th mission, presentation silver cigarette case, commemorative autograph book marking his farewell from the RAF, a letter of gratitude and cuff-links from the Danish Resistance among other items. A unique and outstanding lot. NB: There is no flying log or service record present.(Continuation of description of lot 327); Squadron Leader Sydney Clayton, DSO, DFC and Bar, DFM; Sydney Clayton was born in Dilworth, near Longridge, Lancashire in March 1916. He was educated at the local school before taking a technical scholarship at Preston College. He held various jobs before the outbreak of war, including that of a commercial traveller selling cheese for a local company, before signing up for the RAF in May 1939. Although ambitious to be a pilot, pilot training was oversubscribed, therefore he turned his talents to training as a navigator. Qualifying in 1940, his first operational unit was 107 Squadron flying the Blenheim Light Bombers, mainly on daylight raids. In total Clayton flew seventy-two operational sorties in the Blenheim, many with another World War Two pilot bomber ace, Wing Commander Roy Ralston, resulting in the awarding of a Distinguished Flying Medal in spring 1941 for completing sixty sorties and promotion to Flying Officer. Following a period on instructional duties with No17 OTU, the formation of the first De Havilland Mosquito Squadrons in early 1942 saw Clayton return to active duty with 105 Squadron. His first operational flight was on July 11th 1942, with a low level bombing raid on the submarine base at Flensburg. Badly damaged by flack the plane was forced to 'belly land' at 160 mph on it's return. On October 21st 1942, while crossing the Dutch coast, Claytons Mosquito was attacked by two German Focke Wulfe 109's. Following a fifteen minute encounter, the Mosquito escaped. For his role as navigator in this encounter Clayton was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, with the citation recalling his courage, initiative and devotion. Then on December 9th 1942 Clayton was navigator in another infamous bombing raid when, along with pilot Roy Ralston, they trapped a German train while in a tunnel near Paris. Clayton continued to fly both high and low level raids until March 1943, often with his constant companion Roy Ralston as his pilot, hitting communication and logistical targets, including the Renault Aero Works at Le Mans. Then on 1st April 1943, the RAF's 25th birthday, a low level raid on the Trier Railway engine repair depot, was to be Clayton's 100th operational sortie and last as a navigator. A Distinguished Service Order followed, with many plaudits including Air Marshall Sir Arthur Harris and De Havilland themselves. It was now that Clayton's original ambition was to be fulfilled, and pilot training began. By May 1944 he was flying Mosquito's solo, with his first flight being remembered for having had to land on one engine after a technical failure. With Pilot wings gained, Clayton was posted to 464 Squadron RAAF and began flying Mosquito's operationally on 26th August 1944. It was shortly afterwards, that on 31 October 1944 in a daylight raid, Clayton was involved in one of his most memorable raids with the raid on the Gestapo Headquarters in Aarhus, Copenhagen in support of the Danish Resistance. For this act he received a pair of 'Royal' cufflinks from the Resistance and it formed part of the citation for a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross. Having completed 145 operational flights, 100 as a navigator and 45 as a pilot. VE day came on the 8th May 1945 and a return to civilian life saw Sydney Clayton back in Lancashire running an hotel and a newsagents, before joining the Civil Service in 1971. Sydney Clayton died in tragic circumstances at home in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire in 1976, survived by his wife Margie. Bibliography: 1. Bomber Barons - Chaz Bowyer 2. Mosquito at War - Chaz Bowyer
