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Auction: 1008 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 29

A Second War ´1941´ Hampden and Wellington Wireless Operator/Air Gunner´s D.F.M. Group of Four to Flight Sergeant T. Highton, 83 Squadron, Royal Air Force, A Squadron Contemporary of Guy Gibson, V.C. and John Hannah, V.C.; He Flew in 31 Operational Sorties With the Squadron, Including the First Raid To Berlin, 25.8.1940; He Was Killed in a Flying Accident, 10.9.1941 a) Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (645598. Sgt. T. Highton. R.A.F.) b) 1939-1945 Star c) Air Crew Europe Star d) War Medal, generally good very fine, with the following related items and documents: - Air Gunner´s Brevet - Wireless Operator´s Cloth Badge - The recipient´s riband bar - Copy Log Book (covering the period 24.6.1940-28.7.1941), first page annotated ´Copy of Log Book of F/Sgt: T. Highton. W/Op-AG., Killed September 1941´, with named Forwarding Slip from Air Officer in Charge of Records, Royal Air Force (lot) Estimate £ 1,600-2,000 D.F.M. London Gazette 18.4.1941 645598 Sergeant Thomas Highton, No. 83 Squadron The Recommendation states: ´Sergeant Highton has carried out a total of 31 operational flights against the enemy, as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, during the course of which he has completed 199 hours flying. Amongst other successful operations in which he has participated have been attacks on Berlin (2), Hamburg (4), Stetin, Bremen and various targets in the Ruhr. Throughout these operations Sergeant Highton has shown outstanding skill, determination and devotion to duty. His work, both as an Air Gunner and as a Wireless Operator, have been of the highest order and of the greatest assistance to his pilot. He has shown exceptional skill when operating under adverse weather conditions. On two occasions when returning from the target he has effected successful repairs to his wireless equipment thus enabling the aircraft to return safely to its base. By his enthusiasm, cheerfulness, courage and confidence he has set a fine example to other Wireless Operator/Air Gunners in his Squadron.´ 645598 Flight Sergeant Thomas Highton, D.F.M., born Lancaster, 1920; educated at St. Peter´s, Roman Catholic School, Lancaster; employed by James Williamson & Son and an active footballer in the Lancashire Leagues prior to joining the Royal Air Force, June 1939; initial training postings included to No. 16 O.T.U., Upper Heyford and 106 Squadron (Hampdens), Finningley; posted for operational service as Wireless Operator/Air Gunner to ´A´ Flight 83 Squadron (Hampdens), Scampton, 18.8.1940; his Squadron contemporaries at the time included a certain Flying Officer Guy Gibson, and Sergeant John Hannah, both of whom were to be later awarded the Victoria Cross; Highton flew in 31 operational sorties with the squadron, mainly over heavily defended German targets (see D.F.M. Recommendation), the first of which was to Magdeburgh piloted by Pilot Officer T. Mills, 21.8.1940; on his third raid, which was coincidentally the first Bomber Command Raid to be carried out on Berlin, 25/26.8.1940, his Hampden had to ditch in the sea off Flamborough Head on its return due to a shortage of fuel; the crew spent seven hours in a dingy until it was picked up and landed at Grimsby; Gibson mentioned the incident in his book Enemy Coast Ahead, ´Many aircraft landed in the sea on the way home, and even in our own squadron we had three incidents. Tony Mills ran out of petrol off Flamborough Head and took to his dingy with his crew, who were all violently sea-sick..... As soon as I landed I got my aircraft refuelled and took off to look for Tony. We were in the air for six hours, but never saw a thing. When we finally landed back at Scampton I was annoyed to hear that he had been picked up a long time ago, having seen me pass over him twice, and was at the moment having a party with the boys in Grimsby´; Highton flew in the last operation of his 1st tour, to Brest, 21.2.1941; he was posted for instructional duties to No. 25 O.T.U., Finningley, March 1941; Highton´s duties with No. 25 O.T.U. were flying in Ansons and Wellingtons screening Wireless Operators prior to their joining an Operational Squadron; it was on one such flight, 10.9.1941, when Highton was killed in a flying accident in Wellington X9872 which crashed at Southrey killing the crew of six; it was tragic news for Highton´s parents for only two hours before the telegram arrived notifying them of their son´s death, a letter had arrived confirming that he was coming home the next day on a 48 hour pass; Highton was buried in Lancaster Cemetery, his father a serviceman of the Boer War and Great War later attended an investiture at Buckingham Palace to receive from King George VI the D.F.M. awarded to his late son.

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