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Auction: 21002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 310

Barrington-Kennett Medal, 2nd type (A/A Rose. C.), hallmarks for London 1932, in Thomas Boucher case of issue, nearly extremely fine

[D.F.M.] London Gazette 31 May 1940.

[D.F.C.] London Gazette 12 January 1943.

Charles Frank Rose was born in 1915, the son of Charles Joseph and Elizabeth Anne Rose. Enlisting as an Aircraft Apprentice with No. 2 Wing, Royal Air Force Halton in January 1931, receiving the serial number 565666. Rose was awarded the Barrington-Kennett Medal in 1932 when he represented No.1 Wing in the competition. Qualifying as an Aircraftman Class I he was posted to Home Aircraft Depot, Henlow in December 1934. Promoted Sergeant Pilot with No. 248 Squadron he was awarded the DFM on 31 May 1940, receiving a 'Mention' to go with it on 1 January 1941. During this time No. 248 Squadron had operated as a fighter formation although by mid-1941 they changed to a largely anti-shipping role. Rose was commissioned Pilot Officer on 7 May 1941, transferring to No. 521 Squadron and earning DFC on 12 January 1943, in the rank of Acting Flight Lieutenant. Confirmed Flight Lieutenant on 28 January 1943 and transferred to No. 248 Squadron, Rose was later advanced to Squadron Leader. On 4 November 1943 he led an anti-shipping patrol from the Squadron's base in Cornwall with the intention of flying over the Bay of Biscay and patrolling the coastline. As they passed over the western side of Les Isles d'Ouissant, they spotted a trawler which on close inspection did not appear to be engaged in any civilian activities. Deciding that it must be acting as a marker or lookout for submerged U-Boats Rose pushed his Mosquito FB.XVIII (No. HX902) into an attack run. He opened fire upon the trawler to great effect, destroying its boiler, however return fire struck his aircraft and it fell into the sea killing both Rose and his navigator Flight Sergeant Cowley. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial; sold together with a copied article on the Barrington-Kennett Medal and copy of The Halton magazine in which Rose's first posting is identified.

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Sold for
£270

Starting price
£60