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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 481

(x) A 1944 D.F.C. group of five awarded to Flight Lieutenant B. J. Starie, No. 97 Squadron, Royal Air Force, who was killed in action on 15 March 1944

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse oficially dated '1944' and additionally engraved 'Flt. Lt. B. J. Starie R.A.F.'; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (5)

D.F.C. London Gazette 11 February 1944. The original Recommendation states:

'This Officer has been Navigator in a crew which has several times been attacked by enemy night fighters. On other occasions his aircraft has been damaged by the ground defences and has sustained damage from anti-aircraft fire. Despite those hazards, their attacks have always been pressed home with great effect. Much of their success has been due to the accurate navigation of Starie. He has at all times displayed commendable resolution and keenness.'

Bernard John Starie was born on 25 January 1913 at Fulham and joined the Royal Air Force in 1941, being commisioned in 1942. Having been awarded his richly-deserved D.F.C., he was killed in action on 15 March 1944. Flying in Lancaster JB361, with Flight Lieutenant William Alexander Meyer at the controls, they took off from Bourn at 1920hrs. Intercepted by a night-fighter, they were shot down, crashing at Zillhausen, near Balingen. All of the crew lost their lives and are buried in the Burnbach War Cemetery; sold together with the Air Council condolence slip in the name of 'Flight Lieutenant B. J. Starie, D.F.C.,', his brevet, a newspaper clipping and copied research.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£2,200

Starting price
£900