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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 302

An interesting Second World War Prisoner of War campaign group of five awarded to Master Signaller C. W. Evans, Royal Air Force, whose aircraft was forced down by enemy fighters in November 1940 whilst flying Air-Marshal O. T. Boyd to the Middle East; Williams latterly saw intense service during Op Plainfare - the ‘Berlin Airlift’ - with No. 40 Squadron, taking part in some 259 lifts

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Air Force L.S. &.G.C., E.II.R (M. Sig. C. W. Evans. (619037) R.A.F.), good very fine (5)

Charles William Evans, a native of Aintree, Liverpool, was born on 6 February 1921 and he enlisted in the Royal Air Force on 28 August 1938. He was flying with No. 99 Squadron and was a Wireless Operator with the crew which was flying Air Marshall O. T. Boyd to be Deputy A.O.C.-in-C
of the Royal Air Force, Middle East. On 20 November 1940, their aircraft was intercepted and forced by enemy fighters to land in Sicily, whereupon they were taken prisoner of war by the Italians. Air Marshall Boyd later escaped from a villa in Italy along with General O’Connor who had been captured in the desert and returned to Great Britain, Evans spent the war 'behind the wire'. He was interrogated at Rome on 26 November 1940, with the enemy wanting information on aircraft radio, but he 'divulged nothing' (M.I.9 de-brief refers). He was interned at Camp 78, Sulmona until the capitulation of Italy, when he went on the run for some three months. Having be re-captured, he was then held at Stalag IVB, Muhlberg from 24 December 1943-21 April 1945, when finally liberated by Russian forces.

In the years that followed he was transferred to No. 242 Squadron, and then on to No. 40 Squadron to assist during Operation Plainfare in 1948-49, where Evans took part in some ‘259 ½’. He served until March 1966, having undertaken various types of radio and radar work, as a well as missile weapon training.

Sold together with his three Flying Log Books, covering the period after his release, it being noted 'previous Log Book mislaid', this first book carrying forward 500hrs and the final Log Book noting a Grand Total of 4329hrs 5mins flying, together with Prisoner of War cards and photograph, Warrant Officer certificate and other photographs and documents.

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Sold for
£800

Starting price
£520