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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 450

A complete run of Flying Log Books appertaining to Squadron Leader J. M. O'Brien, A.F.M., Royal Air Force, who flew operationally with No. 6 Squadron in Iraq between the wars and amassed in excess of 4000 flying hours

As a long served flying instructor - at Cranwell and elsewhere - he made an important contribution to training numerous future fighter aces, a cursory glance of his many pupil pilots revealing a poignant list of Battle of Britain pilots, among them:

Pilot Officer G. 'Sammy' Allard, D.F.C., D.F.M., 85 Squadron, who was killed in an accident on 13 March 1941; Flight Lieutenant H. R. A. Beresford, 257 Squadron, who was killed in action on 7 September 1940 (the wreckage of his Hurricane, with his remains in the cockpit, were excavated in 1979); Flying Officer P. P. Woods-Scawen, D.F.C., 85 Squadron, who was killed in action on 1 September 1940, the day before his brother, Charles, suffered a similar fate in 43 Squadron, and Flying Officer D. G. Gribble, D.F.C., 54 Squadron, who was killed in action 4 June 1941

covering the periods August 1927 to June 1928; June 1928 to September 1929, these two bound as one in original R.A.F. Pilot's Flying Log Book (Book 425) card covers; thereafter Form 414 books covering the periods October 1929 to July 1932; September 1932 to February 1935; February 1935 to October 1936; November 1936 to July 1941 and July 1941 to June 1946, outer covers somewhat worn but contents good (Lot)

J. M. O'Brien trained as a pilot at Netheravon and Digby in 1927-28 and was posted to No. 6 Squadron in the Middle East on gaining his 'Wings' at the end of the latter year. Tours of duty ensued in Iraq, Egypt and Palestine, prior to his return to the U.K. in 1932, tours undertaken in Bristol Fighters and flown in conjunction with local military and police units, including the Trans-Jordan Field Force.

Posted to the R.A.F. College, Cranwell in March 1933, he commenced a long career as a flying instructor, a career that would continue until 1946. From Cranwell he was posted to No. 11 F.T.S. at Wittering in October 1935, where he remained until being embarked for like duties in Canada. He returned to the U.K. in May 1944 and ended his career at R.A.F. Shawbury in the summer of 1946.


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£260