Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 301

The 1945 D.F.C. group of five awarded to Squadron Leader F. J. Trueman, No. 100 Squadron, Royal Air Force, who racked up 33 Ops during the Second World War and went on to train the next generation of Jet Pilots on the DH Vampire in the 1950's

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1945', with its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; France & Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn by Gieves, Old Bond Street and housed in card Gieves box, good very fine (5)

D.F.C. London Gazette 22 May 1945. The original recommendation, by Wing Commander A. F. Hamilton, Commanding No. 100 Squadron at RAF Grimsby:

'Flight Lieutenant Trueman has now completed 20 sorties on his first operational tour, including attacks on such heavily defended targets as Dortmund (2), Aschaffenburg, Freiburg, Karlsruhe, Essen, Ulm, Cologne, Nurnburg, Hanau, Launa, Zeitz-Treglitz and Stuttgart.

He has throughout displayed a most admirable combination of cheerful confidence and devotion to duty, which has inspired a high standard of morale and fine team work in his crew. He has always pressed home his attacks regardless of opposition and has consistently obtained first class results. This young officer has shown outstanding qualities of leadership both in the air and on the ground, which have earned him the highest respect throughout the Squadron.

It is considered that his fine record of sterling work us worthy of recognition and he is accordingly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.'

Francis John Trueman made his first entry in his Flying Log Book on 24 February 1941 at 22 E.F.T.S. and then went out to Canada, joining 10 S.F.T.S., at Dauphin, Manitoba. Further training followed and he joined No. 100 Squadron in October 1944. His first Op was a daylight raid on Bochum on 4 November as 2nd Pilot to Flying Officer Thompson on Lancaster 'S'. Having completed 20 sorties, the remainder as Pilot, which included two further daylight raids and no less than 6 Ops in January 1945, he was awarded his well-deserved D.F.C.. Trueman remained on Ops as racked up a further 13 sorties before War's end, before joining No. 246 Squadron in June 1945, with whom he remained until 28 October 1946. He joined No. 51 Squadron at Waterbeach from October-December 1946, before postings at T.C.D.U., Brize Norton, December 1946-August 1948, HQ 2nd T.A.F., September 1949-March 1951 and at RAF Staff College from April 1951-March 1952. At HQ No. 90 Group from April 1952-January 1955, he thence joined 12 F.T.S. (West Zoyland) and the Central Flying Schools at South Cernow and Little Rissington and 8 F.T.S. (Swinderby), completing No. 186 Flying Instructor's Course in March 1955 and then taking a plethora of flights in DH Vampires until 1957 as a Flying Instructor. Trueman was finally retired as Squadron Leader on 31 July 1970; sold together with his five RAF Pilot's Flying Log Books, covering his entire career, besides his leather and sheepskin flying jacket, with large tear to reverse and copied recommendation and group photographs.

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

Sold for
£1,700

Starting price
£1200