Four: Sergeant H. Clayton, 15 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, a Lancaster rear...

Four: Sergeant H. Clayton, 15 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, a Lancaster rear gunner whose aircraft had been designated as Master Bomber for the raid on Heinsberg, 16/17 November 1944 - when it was hit by anti-aircraft fire and exploded mid-air, leaving only the Squadron C.O. Wing Commander W. Watkins, D.S.O., D.F.C., D.F.M. to parachute to safety 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with named Under-Secretary of State for Air condolence slip, all housed in a glazed frame, slip faded by sun, good very fine Five: Attributed to Flight Lieutenant F. G. Sanders, 15 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, who was the pilot of the above Lancaster for the raid on Heinsberg, 16/17 November 1944, and succumbed to the same fate as Clayton and the rest of his crew 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; New Zealand War Service Medal, good very fine (lot) £200-£240 --- Henry Clayton was born in Murton, County Durham in 1920. He served as an Air Gunner with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War. Clayton flew operationally with 15 Squadron (Lancasters) from Mildenhall, and was crewed with Flight Lieutenant F. G. Sanders, R.N.Z.A.F., as his pilot. Clayton was killed in action whilst on a raid to Heinsberg, 16/17 November 1944. Clayton’s crew had an extra crew member for the sortie, in the shape of the Squadron C.O. - Wing Commander W. Watkins, D.S.O., D.F.C., D.F.M. The latter was an observer/navigator by trade, and was detailed to act as captain of the aircraft and Master Bomber during the attack. At approximately 03.30 hours, on the morning of the 17th, the aircraft approached its target and made a satisfactory bombing run through heavy anti-aircraft fire. As Lancaster, PB137, completed its bombing run it was struck by a direct hit and exploded mid-air killing seven of the eight-man crew. The aircraft disintegrated and fell to earth over a wide area. Wing Commander Watkins was the only survivor, although he was badly burned about the face. Sergeant Clayton and remainder of the crew were buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany. Frederick George Sanders was the son of Mr and Mrs F. B. Sanders, and was born in Timaru, New Zealand. He flew in at least 28 operational sorties with 15 Squadron during the Second World War. Sold with a file of extensive research into the crew members of the above Lancaster, with extensive ORB details and copied service papers. Also an original photograph of Sanders in uniform.