Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 14001 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 75

A Scarce 1945 South East Asia Command 'Special Duties' D.F.C Group of Five to Liberator Captain, Flying Officer S.H. Seed, 357 Squadron, Royal Air Force
a) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1945'
b) 1939-1945 Star
c) Burma Star
d) War Medal
e) France, Croix de Guerre, reverse dated '1939', with Silver Star, generally very fine, with the following related documents:
- Two R.A.F. Pilot's Flying Log Books (23.6.1941-31.8.1942 and 1.9.1942-30.11.1967) first slightly water-damaged
- Named Buckingham Palace Enclosure
- Original Citation for Croix de Guerre with Silver Star (5)

D.F.C. London Gazette 19.10.1945 PO. Samuel Henry Seed (56737), 357 Sqn, R.A.F.
The Recommendation states: 'P/O Seed has carried out special operations over Burma, French-Indo-China and Malaya and has carried out a total of 321 operational hours.
As a captain of aircraft he has proved himself capable of successfully completing the most difficult tasks, and he and his crew have a very large number of highly-successful sorties to their credit. He has carried out long-range operations to Malaya of 19 and 22 hours' endurance, and on these operations he has shown outstanding determination.
Throughout his operational tour this officer has shown great efficiency and has at all times set an excellent example.'

Station Commander's Remarks: 'He is a most capable and determined Captain, who can always be relied upon to complete the most difficult sorties successfully. I fully endorse this recommendation.'

France, Croix de Guerre with Silver Star, Flying Officer Samuel Henry Seed, D.F.C. (56737) Royal Air Force
The Citation states: 'A very valuable officer pilot. Carried out numerous flights over Indo-China including 10 successful parachute operations under exceptionally difficult conditions for the Indo-Chinese Resistance.'

Flying Officer Samuel Henry Seed, D.F.C. initially served during the Second War as a Sergeant; he carried out Pilot training at No. 6 E.F.T.S., Sywell, from June 1941; he flew his first solo in a DH82, 8.7.1941; Seed carried out further training at No. 3 E.F.T.S. and No. 22 E.F.T.S. before training in Oxfords with No. 37 E.F.T.S. from January 1942; later that year he was posted to the Canada, and after a period at C.F.S. Trenton he was posted to instruct in Oxfords and Harvards at No. 34 S.F.T.S., Medicine Hat, Alberta; Seed stayed in this capacity until April 1944 when he was posted to No.1 C.R.S. Summerside; after undertaking a conversion course on Mitchells and Liberators at No. 5 O.T.U. Boundary Bay he was posted as Warrant Officer for operational flying to 357 (Special Duties) Squadron (Liberators), Jessore, India, January 1945; the latter squadron was part of South East Asia Command and was primarily tasked with flying supply drops to guerilla forces in Burma and long-range flights to Malaya and Sumatra, where agents and supplies were landed on the coast; Seed flew on numerous such operations, including in February 'this operation was successful. Reception of 1 fire and 1 torch came on as a/c approached. Reception seemed to have been moved on to the side of a hill to clear valley mist. The dropping could not be straight owing to the shape of the valley. 6 containers and 5 packages were dropped.. at 600' all the chutes opened correctly' (Squadron Operations Record Book refers); and in April, having been promoted to Pilot Officer on Probation, 'Successful... correct reception of 'H' of panels and smoked fires were seen. 2 Agents, 11 containers and 3 packages were dropped... from 1200-1600ft.... 18 packets of nickels dropped on Papun' (Ibid); Seed completed his first tour of operations 3.5.1945; he was posted to Transport Command with 53 Squadron (Liberators), Merryfield, November 1945; subsequent postings, before his release from the R.A.F. at the end of 1946, included to 86 Squadron, 1665 H.T.C.U. and 1332 H.T.C.U.; after the war Seed was employed by Ulster Aviation Ltd and Curtiss Reid Ltd, continuing to fly until 1967.

Provenance: Glendining 1982

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£2,200