Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 17002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 455

'I am still more convinced that in light of recent international events - although we may suffer somewhat - Jerry is going to get the biggest battering known in world history.'

Sergeant P. W. B. Sanderson, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, in a letter home, 1 December 1942.

A poignant archive of original documentation appertaining to Sergeant P. W. B. Sanderson, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action over North Africa whilst serving as an Observer in Wellingtons of No. 142 Squadron: aged just 21, he had earlier qualified for membership of the Caterpillar Club

Comprising his R.A.F. Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying Log Book, with entries covering the period 23 December 1942 to 9 April 1943, with opening endorsement stating his first flying log book, for training flights in South Africa, was 'lost to enemy action', a statement that might suggest his homeward bound troopship came to grief, with named next of kin enclosure; together with his Caterpillar Club membership card, laminated; campaign medal card forwarding box, addressed to 'Miss M. E. Sanderson, Merrilies, New Road, Weybridge, Surrey', and Air Ministry condolence slip in the name of 'Sergeant P. W. B. Sanderson'; three portrait photographs, and a quantity of letters and other documentation, including his school report book, generally in good condition (Lot)

Peter William Bouquet Sanderson was born on 14 January 1921, the son of William and Rebecca Sanderson of Weybridge, Surrey. He was educated at Parmiter's School, where he won the Junior School scholarship and played for the Cricket 1st XI.

Following the outbreak of hostilities, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and was trained as an Observer in South Africa, prior to joining the strength of No. 142 Squadron, a Wellington unit, in December 1942. During a dual X-country exercise on 6 February 1943, his Wellington appears to have developed serious engine trouble, so much so that the crew baled out over Snaith.

In the following month, as part of a flight of 13 'tropicalised' Wellingtons, he was ordered to North Africa, where they commenced operations out of Blida in April 1943.

Sanderson, who joined Sergeant G. A. Sherwood's crew, participated in raids on Bizette on the 1st and Tunis on the 6th. Three days later - in Wellington QT-C - pilot and crew were ordered to attack enemy troop concentrations and transport near Enfedaville, Tunisia. Nothing further was heard from them but the pilot of an aircraft of No. 150 Squadron saw their Wellington climbing at 4,000 feet, trailing sparks and black smoke: it crashed and burnt out at St. Marie du Zit.

Sanderson and his crew are buried in a collective grave at Massicault War Cemetery, Tunisia.


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

Estimate
£350 to £400