Miscellaneous

Royal Air Force officers mess presentation items comprising three silver tankards, a pewter tankard and a double handled silver cup presented in memory of five highly decorated officers from the elite No. 8 (Pathfinder Force) Group, all of whom were killed on active service during the Second World War Double handled silver cup, hallmarks for London 1944, engraved ‘Presented to the Pathfinders in memory of “Pluto” W/Cmdr. Alan Cousens. D.S.O., D.F.C. No. 635 Squadron. By his mother and Rhona 22nd April 1944’ Pewter tankard, engraved ‘John White Wg. Cdr. D.F.C., P.F.F. with all in “S” for Sugar 156 Sqdn who were unable to keep their appointment in London. Berlin 18 Nov. 1943.’ Silver tankard, hallmarks for Sheffield 1944, engraved ‘To 7 Squadron in appreciation of W/Cdr. R. G. Barrell, D.S.O., D.F.C. & Bar. Given by Winifred J. Armstrong.’ Silver tankard, hallmarks for Sheffield 1944, engraved ‘To 7 Squadron in appreciation of F/Lt. Stickell, D.S.O., D.F.C. Given by Winifred J. Armstrong.’ Silver tankard, hallmarks for Birmingham 1943, engraved ‘To 7 Squadron in appreciation of S/Ldr. J. A. Hegman, D.S.O., D.F.C. Given by Winifred J. Armstrong.’ minor denting throughout and some damage to bases, generally good condition (5) £300-£500 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 6 November 1942. The original unabridged recommendation states: ‘Wing Commander Cousens was posted to No. 115 Squadron as a F/Cdr in April 1942. In this capacity he was outstanding and owing to his leadership when flying on operations he obtained splendid results from his crews in the flight by his personal example and untiring efforts. In July 1942 he was promoted to A/W/Cdr. And given command of No. 115 Squadron, and such is his personality that although he was an Air Observer, and the first one to command a Bomber Squadron during this war, by sheer devotion and leadership he has maintained all the traditions of the Service, keeping a very high standard among the crews in the Squadron. W/Cdr. Cousens has taken part in 67 operational sorties, and his untiring efforts in the Squadron as Navigator, combined with his terrific keenness and enthusiasm to get at the enemy has played no small part in the very successful results of these sorties. I have no hesitation in strongly recommending him for an award of the D.S.O.’ D.F.C. London Gazette 30 January 1941. The original unabridged recommendation states: At the beginning of the war this Officer was serving as an Air Observer in No. 38 Squadron, R.A.F. Station, Marham. At first he served as a navigator in that Squadron where he did most of his operational flying. Later he was transferred to Nos. 218 and 115 Squadrons. Towards the end of his time at Marham he became the Station Navigation Officer. Squadron Leader Cousens left Marham in June 1941, having completed some 32 operational flights, mostly against heavily defended targets in Germany. No less than 3 of these flights were to the German capital, and when returning from an operation on the night of 20 February 1940 this officer was forced by reason of fog to abandon his aircraft and in doing so broke his ankle. In June, 1941, Squadron Leader Cousens was selected to be Group Navigation Officer. In this capacity he has set an admirable example by seizing every opportunity to take part in night operations with various units in this Group. He has in this way completed a further 7 operations, bringing his total up to nearly 40, this representing some 238 hours of operational flying. Squadron Leader Cousens skill as a navigator and total disregard for his own safety has been quite outstanding, and I recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.’ Czechoslovak Military Cross London Gazette 14 April 1942. The letter of recommendation from the Czech Minister of National Defence states: ‘British Officer S/L Allan George Seymour Cousens, co-operating with the Czechoslovak Group, showed several times a great personal courage in the face of enemy.’ Wing Commander Alan George Seymour Cousens, D.S.O., D.F.C., (Czech M.C.), Royal Air Force was killed in action while serving with 635 Squadron as one of the Master Bombers on the Laon raid on 22 April 1944. Having taken off from Downham Market at 21.23 on 22 April, his Lancaster III (ND508 F2-P) was shot down over France and all the crew were killed with the exception of the pilot, P.O. D. H. Courtney, who evaded capture. Those who died, including Cousens, are buried in Roye British Cemetery, France. ______________________________________________________ D.F.C. London Gazette 10 September 1943. The original citation states: ‘(Pilot; sorties 24; flying hours 142). This officer has flown on many operational sorties against targets in Germany, Italy and enemy occupied territory. He has held the post of flight commander in his squadron since May 1943. In that capacity and as captain of aircraft, Squadron Leader White has shown powers of flying skill and leadership which have set an outstanding example to the other members of his squadron.’ Wing Commander John Henry White D.F.C., Reserve of Air Force Officers was killed in action on a raid to Berlin on 18 November 1943. Having left Warboys with 156 Squadron at 17.05, the Lancaster III (JB363 GT-K) - “S” for Sugar - which he was piloting crashed near Döberitz and all the crew were killed. Unusually, the entire crew of “S” for Sugar were decorated airmen. ______________________________________________________ D.S.O. London Gazette 11 June 1943. The original recommendation states: ‘(Flight Commander; sorties 54; flying hours 406) This officer has completed a large number of operational sorties against German and Italian targets, 23 of which have been on pathfinder duties. He is an outstanding operational captain who has consistently displayed courage and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy. His repeated successes on operations have set a very fine example to the rest of his squadron. He has commanded a flight with great distinction and has had much success in training air crews. Wing Commander Barrell is a most efficient and valuable officer and pilot. He has completed 6 sorties since the award of the D.F.C.’ D.F.C. London Gazette 6 June 1941. The original unabridged recommendation states: ‘This officer has completed twenty five operational sorties over enemy territory since October, 1940, involving a total of 217 flying hours. Targets attacked include Berlin (4), Mannheim (3), Brest (3), Bremen (2), Bordeaux (2), Hanover, Turin, Hamburg, and Kiel. From these distant flights P/O Barrell’s crew have returned safely, a fact largely attributable to his skill and devotion to duty on all flights. He has inspired confidence in every crew which he has captained, by complete disregard of enemy action and difficult weather conditions. He has unfailingly shown great courage and gallantry in the face of the enemy, and nearly all his sorties have been models of operational efficiency and captaincy. I have no hesitation in recommending that his fine record be recognised by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Remarks by Station Commander - 23 April 1941: This officer has a fine record of achievements. His quiet efficiency and regularly successful results are the measure of his skill and courage in finding and bombing his primary targets. He has set a great example and is one of the captains who can always be relied upon to get there. I feel there is no higher recommendation.’ D.F.C. Second Award...