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Auction: 20002 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Space Exploration
Lot: 593

A post-War B.E.M. group of nine awarded to Wing Commander D. W. Gilbert, Royal Air Force, who was decorated for his 'boundless energy' and 'complete enthusiasm' whilst serving as Station Armoury N.C.O. in charge of the bomb dump at R.A.F. Stradishall, Suffolk
It was a role which others considered 'unpleasant', especially in wet and muddy conditions when his workforce were perhaps a little less than willing

British Empire Medal, G.VI.R. (538713 Flt. Sgt. Douglas W. Gilbert. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Arabian Peninsula (Act. Flt. Lt. D. W. Gilbert. R.A.F.); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, South Arabia (Flt. Lt. D. W. Gilbert R.A.F.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (538713 F.Sgt. D. W. Gilbert. R.A.F.), mounted as worn, good very fine (9)

B.E.M. London Gazette 9 June 1949. The official recommendation states:

'During the past twelve months, since his employment as Station Armoury N.C.O. i/c the bomb dump, he has always shown outstanding ability to organise and complete work. He has completed the work he has been detailed to do with absolute minimum recourse to his superiors, and he has also undertaken and completed additional work that he has considered necessary. He has shown that all his time belongs to the Service and, with complete enthusiasm, he has worked overtime on more occasions than can be recorded. He has boundless energy, with the result that he has accomplished far more work than even N.C.O.s credited with above average capabilities would ever have done. Owing to the heavy and unpleasant nature of the work in the bomb dump, the airmen under his control do not share this N.C.O.s enthusiasm. The work often has to be carried out in the most trying weather conditions, and handling heavy bombs in wet and muddy conditions does not lend itself to willing workers, yet Gilbert by his example of unstinted devotion obtained most excellent results from the airmen working under him.'

Douglas William Gilbert was born on 10 October 1919 at Huddersfield, Yorkshire, and enlisted into the Royal Air Force around 1937. He witnessed extensive service during the Second World War and was awarded the B.E.M. whilst stationed at R.A.F. Stradishall in Suffolk. In September 1946, Stradishall reverted to 3 Group and was home to three squadrons of Lancaster aircraft until February 1949. Five months later, it became No. 203 Advanced Flying School for Meteors, Spitfires, Vampires and Harvards, before later being redesignated No. 226 Operational Conversion Unit and serving with No. 125 Squadron flying Meteor jet aircraft.

Appointed to a permanent commission in the Technical Branch, Gilbert was made Flight Sergeant on 20 October 1955, Pilot Officer on 20 October 1955, Flying Officer on 20 October 1958, Flight Lieutenant on 20 October 1961 and Squadron Leader on 1 January 1967. Having seen active service on the Arabian Peninsula and in South Arabia, Gilbert retired on 28 January 1970. Living at home with his Ethel Delila Gilbert at 39 Breakspears Road, Lewisham, Londonl, he died at Lewisham hospital on 18 November 1984, in consequence of lung cancer; sold with copied recommendation and research.


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Sold for
£450

Starting price
£320