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Auction: 14003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 13

The Superb 1943 'Air-Sea Rescue' A.F.C., 'Immediate' Battle of Britain D.F.M. Group of Seven to Spitfire Sergeant Pilot, Later Squadron Leader, R.F. 'The Pied Piper of Harrogate' Hamlyn, 610 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Who Achieved 'Ace-In-A-Day' Status During the Height of the Battle, And Went on to Score At Least 10 Victories, 8 of Which Were Recorded Between 14th-30th August 1940
a) Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1943'
b) Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (580244. Sgt. R.F. Hamlyn. R.A.F.)
c) 1939-1945 Star, with Battle of Britain Bar
d) Air Crew Europe Star, with France and Germany Bar
e) Defence and War Medals
f) Coronation 1953, generally very fine or better, mounted court-style for wear, with the following related items:
- Royal Air Force Pilot's Flying Log Book (1.4.1938-31.5.1957), superbly annotated with illustrations and additional details; pre-war (29.6.1936-31.3.1938) and post war (1.6.1957-26.6.1958) logs not extant
- A fine scrapbook of later compilation replete with original photographs, official photographs, newspaper cuttings, all of which relate to various stages of Hamlyn's service, and original documents including named Investiture invitation and Invitation from the BBC to broadcast "Bringing Down Five German Bombers" (lot)

A.F.C. London Gazette 1.1.1943 Flight Lieutenant R.F. Hamlyn, D.F.M. (45277) No. 275 Squadron Valley
The Recommendation states: 'For the last nine months Flight Lieutenant Hamlyn has been in command of No. 275 Air Sea Rescue Squadron and its present high state of efficiency is mainly due to his efforts. This officer's gallant conduct in flying in almost impossible weather has not only been the means of saving several lives but has also been an inspiration and encouragement to all his personnel.'

D.F.M. London Gazette 13.9.1940 580244 Sergeant Ronald Fairfax Hamlyn, R.A.F.
The Recommendation states: 'At 08.25 hours on 24th August 1940 Sgt. Hamlyn was on an offensive patrol near Ramsgate and destroyed one Ju 88 and one Me 109.
At 11.35 hours the same day he engaged a Me 109 and chased it across the English Channel finally destroying it over Calais where it crashed in flames.
Again at 15.55 hours he destroyed one Me 109 fives miles north of the Isle of Sheppey and a second Me 109 10 miles further north making a bag of 5 enemy aircraft in one day.
Previous to the 24th August 1940, Sgt. Hamlyn has destroyed one Do 17 and one Me 109 and one Do 215 unconfirmed.
This pilot's feat of destroying 5 enemy aircraft in one day shows great skill, courage and good marksmanship.'

Air Officer Commanding's Remarks [Air Vice Marshal K.R. Park]: 'This N.C.O. has shot down 7 Enemy Aircraft. In one day he destroyed 5 Enemy Aircraft - he has shown great skill, courage and good marksmanship. I recommend him for the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.'

Also Recommended for the United States of America Air Medal: F/Lt. (A/S/Ldr) Ronald Fairfax Hamlyn, A.F.C., D.F.M. (45277), 276 Squadron
'S/Ldr. Hamlyn has been in command of No. 276 Air/Sea Rescue Squadron since 8.12.1942. During this period his Squadron has been responsible for the rescue of over 60 aircrew from the sea, amongst which were U.S.A.A.F. personnel from the operations on 29th May, 1943, and 28th June, 1943. His personal courage and leadership has been an inspiration to this Squadron and has been responsible for the saving of many valuable lives. Much of the work done by this Squadron involves many hours of fruitless searching and S/Ldr Hamlyn's fine example has been communicated to his aircrew. By his drive and enthusiasm he has raised the standard of Air/Sea Rescue in No. 276 Squadron to a very high level.'

Squadron Leader Ronald Fairfax Hamlyn, A.F.C., D.F.M. (1914-1991), born Harrogate, North Yorkshire. He was educated at Pocklington Grammar School; and joined the Royal Air Force by direct entry for pilot training in 1936. Hamlyn carried out his training at 11 E. & R. F.T.S. Perth, and 8 F.T.S. Montrose. He was posted as a Sergeant Pilot to 72 Squadron (initially Gladiators, then Spitfires from April 1939), Church Fenton, with whom he was serving at the outbreak of the war. He moved with the squadron to Leconfield as it was made operational. He then moved with them to Drem, Scotland, where they flew East Coast patrols for three months. Hamlyn mainly flew in convoy patrols until 1st June when the squadron was rushed to Gravesend to fly on patrols over the Dunkirk beaches.

610 Squadron - The Battle of Britain
Hamlyn was posted to 610 Squadron (Spitfires), who were also based at Gravesend, 6.6.1940. After flying a mixture of offensive and reconnaissance patrols he moved with the Squadron to Biggin Hill, 2.7.1940. The next day brought his first success, when he shared a Do. 17 off Folkestone. On 29.7.1940 his Log Book records, 'X Raid Dungeness 1 Do. 215 attacked and badly damaged.'

Hamlyn was part of a patrol that intercepted 600 enemy aircraft approaching Dover, 14.8.1940. In the ensuing combat he damaged a Bf109E (his Log Book records it as Destroyed).

Ace-In-A-Day
Ten days later Hamlyn performed a remarkable feat - becoming the first R.A.F. to shoot down 5 enemy aircraft in one day during the Battle of Britain. Starting at dawn on the 24th August, his first patrol is recorded in his Log Book as lasting one hour and ten minutes and accounting for 1 Ju. 88 Destroyed and 1 Me.109 Destroyed over Dover. His second, slightly less productive, patrol lasted one hour and thirty five minutes and accounted for 1 Me. 109 over Dover. His third and final patrol of the day lasted just forty-five minutes and accounted for 2 Me. 109's Destroyed over East London. Or as Hamlyn states in his Log Book, 'The Ju.88 was with 15 others and fell in the Channel off Ramsgate one Me.109 with it. The next Me.109 fell at Calais and the last two over London.'

Hamlyn was awarded an immediate D.F.M., and was to be whisked off to the BBC on the 30th August to give a broadcast on his momentous achievement. However, as his wife was to illustrate in the Daily Mirror this left him with a couple of days to fill before his broadcast, 'Sergeant R.F. Hamlyn was awarded the D.F.M. for bringing down five enemy planes in one day. Now let Mrs. Hamlyn tell you what happened. "As soon as he learned it was this feat that had won him the medal," she said, "he went straight to the runway, took his plane up and brought down two more Nazis." Next day he scored another success.'

On the 26.8.1940, 'Folkestone Patrol 2 Me. 109's Destroyed. 1 Me.109 was shot down in flames while dive bombing Folkestone. The other with it.'

Two days later he Destroyed another Me. 109 over Dover, and on 30.8.1940, 'Patrol Dover and Biggin Hill. 1 Me. 109 Destroyed. 1 Me.110 Prob. Destroyed' (Log Book refers). On the latter date he would have had just enough time to scrub-up, and arrive at Broadcasting House for his 6pm performance. In six days Hamlyn had destroyed at least eight aircraft.

Out Of The Spotlight
After being very active in the early stages of the Battle, often engaging large enemy formations two or three times a day, 610 Squadron was moved from Biggin Hill to Acklington at the end of August for a rest. Tasked with the defence of Newcastle the squadron carried out convoy patrols and occasional scrambles. Hamlyn followed the squadron back into the offensive when it joined the Tangmere Wing, December 1940. Flying out of Westhampnett Hamlyn flew on Channel sweeps and Blenheim escorts. He was commissioned Pilot Officer 29.1.1941.

Frustratingly for Hamlyn this new role did not meet with the same earlier success, 13.3.1941, 'Sweep Calais, 30,000ft. Me.109 fired at - hit but no results seen owing to breakaway. Felt certain I got it but didn't claim it'; and 28.4.1941, 'Dawn Patrol of Base. Ju.88 and Me.109 Sighted - Ju.88 Attacked - Escaped in Cloud.' (Log Book refers).

Hurricanes - And Bigger Prey
Hamlyn was posted to 242 Squadron (Hurricanes), North Weald, 13.6.1941. The squadron had a cosmopolitan air with Poles, Czechs, Australians and French pilots as well as British. Equipped with Hurricane II's the squadron took part in bomber escorts until in August it concentrated on Roadsteads, attacking shipping, principally flakships, R-boats and E-boats, along the Continental coast. As one of the more experienced pilots Hamlyn returned to success, 4.7.1941, with a Me. 109 Destroyed whilst on bomber escort to Bethune. On the 27th July Hamlyn was to record his last success in the air of the War, 'Escort for Motor Torpedo Boats on Attack on large German Destroyer and 5 E-boats Off Dunkirk. 1 Me. 109 Destroyed.' (Log Book refers)

Hamlyn was promoted to command 'B' Flight at the end of July 1941. The following month he led his flight on seven offensive patrols sinking three ships, damaging three others and being hit in his oil tank on two separate occasions. These operations were costly and the squadron was withdrawn, non-operational, from South-East England in September. Hamlyn remained with the unit until his tour was completed in October.

C.O. 275 (Air-Sea Rescue) Squadron
Hamlyn was posted to form and command 275 (ASR) Squadron at Valley, Anglesey, 15.10.1941. The new squadron was equipped with Lysanders and Walruses, and tasked with air-sea rescue in the Irish Sea. On 5.1.1942 he flew his first operational rescue, 'Beaufighter in sea - found + one dead body picked up by boat. Did not land on sea.'

Instead of battling with the enemy he was now battling with the elements, and often was to be confronted with dead bodies as well as successes, 7.1.1942, 'Anson in sea - found. Also crew of four in rubber dinghy. Landed and picked them up two at a time. All landed safely at their home station'; 10.6.1942, 'Rescue - Anson in Sea off Liandwrog. Smashed Anson Located. Landed Alongside - Crew Dead. Rescued Everything Available'; 29.6.1942, 'Rescue Spitfire 20 miles S.S.W. of I.O.M. Body Located - Landed Alongside. Crew Dead. Landed Andreas with Everything' (Log Book refers).

C.O. 276 Squadron
Hamlyn was awarded the A.F.C. for his work at R.A.F. Valley. He was then promoted Squadron Leader to command 276 Squadron at Harrowbeer, Devon, 8.12.1942. The squadron was equipped with Lysander and Walrus. Hurricanes, Defiants, Spitfires and Ansons were then supplied, the fighter aircraft being used for spotting downed aircrew at sea. Perhaps unsurprisingly Hamlyn chose to re-acquaint himself with the Spitfire.

Hamlyn was posted to the staff of Bomber Command as ASR Officer, 3.9.1943. He was then posted to Normandy as Tactics Liaison Officer to 71st Wing, 9th U.S.A.A.F., March 1944. After a brief posting to the Air Ministry, he served as C.G.I. at 41 and 58 O.T.U.'s. In September 1945 Hamlyn was appointed to the command of R.A.F Station Maiduguri, West Africa. Subsequent appointments before retirment in 1957, included as O.C. Flying Wing No. 2 A.S.S., R.A.F. Halfpenny Green.


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