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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 374

(x) Seven: Acting Squadron-Leader T. A. Blake, Royal Air Force, whose expertise helped to establish one of the first landing strips on the Normandy beachead, later receiving a 'mention' for defusing bombs on a crashed aircraft

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936 (515317. A.C.1. T. A. Blake. R.A.F.); India General Service 1936-39, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1936-37, North West Frontier 1937-39 (515317 L.A.C. T. A. Blake. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted with the unofficial Normandy Medal, numbered '7038', slight polishing, contact marks, very fine (7)

Provenance:
Spink Medal Circular, December 1999.

Thomas Arnold Blake was born at Preston, Lancashire in 1913, the son of a Custom's Officer. Enlisting with the Royal Air Force with the service number 515317, posted to the North West Frontier as an Apprentice Armourer he served with No. 60 Squadron. After extended service here Blake was promoted to the rank of Corporal while flying in Wapiti IIa's as Observer/Air Gunner.

Returning to Britain he was promoted Sergeant in 1940 with No. 16 Squadron. With the outbreak of war Blake retrained as a Pilot, being further advanced to the rank of Flying Officer on 19 November 1943. Posted first to 317 (Czech) Squadron while that unit was attached to the 2nd Tactical Air Force, 84th Group. During Operation Overlord he served with 3205 Servicing Commando, organising the creation of the first landing strip on the Normandy beachhead the day after the landings.

Sent to Burma nearly two months after the landings, Blake received a mention for his work defusing bombs on a crashed aircraft. Promoted Flight Lieutenant on 13 November 1946 and later further advanced Acting Squadron Leader. Blake retired in 1948 as a result of ill-health and later died on 3 September 1967; sold together with former auction listings and London Gazette entries.

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

Sold for
£580

Starting price
£280