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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 315

A rare Cyprus operations A.F.M. group of five awarded to Master Pilot L. W. R. Booth, Royal Air Force, who flew the Sycamores of No. 284 Squadron with great distinction

Air Force Medal, E.II.R. (1626187 F. Sgt. L. W. R. Booth. R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (1626187 Sgt. L. W. R. Booth. R.A.F.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (M. Plt. L. W. R. Booth. (F1626187) R.A.F.), first four mounted as worn, good very fine (5)

Appears to be one of just 2 A.F.M.'s awarded for operations in Cyprus.

A.F.M. London Gazette 24 July 1959.

Leslie William Richard Booth was born on 5 March 1924 and began his Pilot's training at No.16 EFTS Burnaston in August 1943. He was flying Mitchell bombers by the end of the war but not on operations. Converting to Liberators and then the Vampire, Booth took his helicopter conversion course to fly the Sycamore. Joining No. 284 Squadron in October 1956, he thence flew a plethora of most interesting operational sorties over the coming years. His January 1957 Log Book gives an interesting insight:

'2 January - Ops 'Relay' RA.
6 January - Ops 'Rat Trap'.
7 January - Ops 'Needle' Para.
9 January - I.S. Recce (Para).
14 January - Ops 'Kirkside' O & B.
16 January - Ops 'Leapfrog' RA.
18 January - Ops 'Mainforce' KOYLI.
24 January - Black Mac DW.
25 January - Ops 'Tip Off' O-B.
28 January - (1 Para) as passenger - Casevac - Platres.'

He flew some 33 hours 30 minutes that month. The following saw Booth fly on further operations in support of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, Leicestershire Regiment and the Suffolk Regiment. In April he flew ten 'Lucky Mac' ops, which include a casevac.

Having been advanced Master Pilot, Booth continued to fly Sycamores and Whirlwinds, his final Log Book entry being made on 23 March 1962. He died in 1982; sold together with his Pilot's Flying Log Books, 5 volumes, volumes 1 & 2 bound together, with full entries covering his career, Pilot's Notes Sycamore H.R. Mk 14, inscribed to Booth, Royal Air Force identity card, his Warrant Officer's commission document, dated 13 June 1965, besides and album of early career photographs, silver identity bracelet inscribed 'L.W.R. Booth 11 Stainburn Ave Leeds 7', Royal Life Saving Society Badge inscribed to 'L. W. R. Booth Mar. 1939', cloth Badges and his Wings, and a number of qualification certificates related to his father.

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Sold for
£4,200

Starting price
£2200