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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 738

(x) The superb immediate Second War 1944 C.G.M. group of five awarded to Flight Sergeant S. W. Walters, No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, a gallant Lancaster Bomb Aimer who was decorated for his valour on a hair-raising raid to the Ruhr Valley

When twenty miles from their target the Pilot was killed outright after being hit by accurate flak that left the 'entire cockpit shattered' - it was at this point Walters entered the stage, removing the Pilot and taking the controls, in spite of the fact that he had never flown a heavy bomber

Having somehow gained control of the stricken kite he nursed it back to Blighty and ordered the crew to bale out as it was impossible to land; ignoring the easy option of taking to his parachute immediately - for it risked the Lancaster smashing into a populated part of Kent - he instead remained at the controls which were by that point 'almost useless' and rounded the crippled plane and headed for the sea, stunningly baling out at the last moment and gaining his membership of the Caterpillar Club

His next Op would come just a few weeks later and would be his last, again shot down during a raid on Heilbron, Walters spent the final months of the war behind the wire as a Prisoner of War

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying), G.VI.R. (1580298. F/Sgt. S. W. Walters. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; France & Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45 Star, mounted court-style for display by Spink & Son, St. James's, claw a little loose on claw otherwise good very fine, together with the recipient's Caterpillar Club Badge, silver-gilt, gold and ruby eyes, officially named 'F/S Walters' to the reverse (5)

C.G.M. London Gazette 2 January 1945:

' This airman has participated in a number of sorties, including attacks on Karlsruhe, Nuremburg and Munchen Gladbach. In November, 1944 he was Air Bomber in an aircraft detailed to attack Homberg. In the vicinity of the target the aircraft came under heavy fire and was struck by high explosive shells. The cockpit was shattered. The Pilot was killed and the Flight Engineer was badly
wounded. Flight Sergeant Walters promptly assisted another member of the crew to remove his dead comrade from the pilot's seat and then took over the controls. The aircraft had sustained severe damage. One engine had been put out of action, whilst a second and a third were reduced in power and vibrating badly. The hydraulic system was damaged and the flaps had edged down. Despite this Flight Sergeant Walters, though less
experienced than a regular pilot, brought the aircraft to an even keel and headed for home. Although only one engine was giving full power he reached an airfield near the English coast. The aircraft was too badly damaged for Flight Sergeant Walters to attempt to bring it down safely. He
gave orders to the crew to release their dead Captain by parachute and then to abandon the aircraft themselves. Not until his comrades were all clear and he was satisfied that the aircraft was headed out to sea did this gallant Air Bomber leave himself. His cool courage, outstanding resource and determination set an example of the highest order.'

The original recommendation states:

'[He] has now completed, as Bomb Aimer of his crew, nine successful operational sorties. These have included attacks on heavily defender targets such as Karlsruhr, Nuremburg and Munchen Gladbach.

On the evening of 1 November [1944], he, together with his crew, were detailed to take part in an attack on Homberg, in the Ruhr Valley. When about twenty miles from the target the aircraft in which he was flying was hit by an accurate burst of heavy flak, the entire cockpit was shattered, the pilot killed outright and the Flight Engineer severely injured. F/Sgt. Walters struggled back to the Pilot's compartment and assisted the Navigator to remove the Pilot from the seat and then in spite of the fact that he had never before flown a heavy bomber took over the controls of the aircraft in an attempt to bring her to an even keel.

By this time the port inner engine, which had sustained damage, had seized up; the port outer and the starboard outer were also vibrating severely and only giving small power. F/Sgt. Walters, however, was determined to regain control, at least long enough to allow his skipper, the wounded engineer and the rest of the crew sufficient time to bale out safely, and valiently stayed at his post. Finally, in spite of the fact that the hydraulics, being damaged, had allowed the flaps to creep down, he managed to regain control. He then decided to return to this country and make an attempt to land the aircraft.

When over the sea and clear of all shipping, he safely jettisoned his bomb load only to find that the bomb doors could not be closed. With only one engine giving useful power, and with the hydraulics unserviceable, the task he had set himself appeared an impossible one.

F/Sgt. Walters, however, was undettered and he courageously set course for the nearest aerodrome in Kent. At the same time he continually rallied the other members of the crew with details of their progress and gave instructions for the treatment of the Pilot and Engineer.

Finally after a valient and courageous struggle the Navigator was to tell that the coast of England had passed beneath them, F/Sgt. Walters then decided that it was impossible for him to land the crippled bomber, and so ordered his crew to bale out, first of all giving instructions for the parachute descent of the Pilot's body.

Even after the crew had safely left the aircraft, F/Sgt. Walters did not desert his post but stayed at the controls, which had now become almost useless, until he was satisfied that the aircraft was safely headed for the sea, and would do no damage to built-up areas when it crashed. Only then did he consider his own safety and left the aircraft by parachute at the last moment.

A valiant and courageous act and a fine example of devotion to duty resulting in the safe arrival of five members of the crew of the stricken aircraft, this example of fighting determination is worthy of the highest traditions of the Service and I strongly recommend F/Sgt. Walters for the immediate award of the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.'

Stanley William Walters was born on 24 August 1920 at Liverpool and was an electrician by trade upon his enlistment into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in November 1941. Having travelled to Canada and trained from 13 January-19 September 1943, he joined No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron on Lancasters and flew his first sortie on 10 September 1944 on Le Havre. Further missions onto Germany soon followed but it was whilst aboard Lancaster LM650 that he would show his true grit and valour of the highest order. Having got 'wheels up' at 1342hrs, the aeroplane was piloted by Pilot Officer John Hereward Titley Haworth, a native of Southern Rhodesia. The objective for the 226 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitos of No.5 Group was the Meerbeck Oil Plant and they closed in on the target in daylight. It was shortly before the objective that LM650 was hit heavily - Haworth was killed immediately and the Flight Engineer, Sergeant Frederick Maurice Seiler was badly wounded. Having somehow gained control and got them back to England, Walters coolly began to order the bailing of the crew. Given the fact they had come into the skies in the mid-afternoon, a number of locals and schoolboys on their way home saw LM650 - with Walters at the controls - circling between Hurst Green and Robertsbridge, with each member parachuting at each pass. First was the body of Howarth, followed by the badly wounded Seiler. Sadly his parachute failed and he lost his life, being buried in the Eastbourne (Langley) Cemetery. The four remaining members of the crew bailed out to good effect, leaving Walters to bring her down. Headed out towards the sea, he took to his parachute but the LM650 was slowing and eventually crashed at 1545hrs near the John Cross Inn, Robertsbridge. Walters was awarded a well-deserved C.G.M. and was given a short break from duties.

It was on 4 December that his final operation headed off to attack Heilbron. Having encountered heavy fire over the target and his aircraft on fire, Walters baled out for the second time in a month to save his life. He spent the remainder of the war as a Prisoner of War, at Dulag Luft from 6-15 December 1944, Stalag IX C (Meiningen) from 18 December 1944-24 March 1945, Luft III (Nurenburg) from 26 March-3 April 1945 and Stalag VII A (Moosburg) from 17 April-7 May 1945. Having been interrogated with threats at Dulag Luft, he spent 9 days in solitary confinement. Returned home to 49 Compton Street, Everton, Walters was invested with his C.G.M. on 12 March 1946 before being released from Service on 14 August 1946.

The Robertsbridge Aviation Society holds a number of parts of the wreckage of LM650 in its collection. Sold together with a comprehensive original archive comprising:

(i)
The original Royal Canadian Air Force Aircrew Log Book, covering the dates 1 May 1943-4 December 1944, with full entries of all operations.

(ii)
Royal Air Force Service & Release Book together with National Identity Card, Supplementary Clothing Book and National Service Grade Card.

(iii)
Investiture invitation letter, dated 27 February 1946.

(iv)
Letter to Mrs Walters, dated 18.12.44, informing her that her son had been recommended for the CGM, accompanied by the original typed citation from the CO of No.44 Squadron at Spilsby, Lincolnshire.

(v)
Campaign medal sheet confirming entitlement, dated 23 November 1945.

(vi)
A number of letters from the Air Ministry, Imperial Chemical Industries, comrades and the Red Cross related to his loss and subsequent posting as a Prisoner of War besides copied research.

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Sold for
£19,000

Starting price
£13000