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Auction: 22133 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 1002

Seven: Lieutenant-Commander A. J. Austin, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy, who flew Sea Furys in Korea alongside Lieutenant Peter Carmichael, the only Royal Air Force Pilot to shoot down a MIG in combat, later seeing service with the Sultan of Oman's Royal Air Force

1939-45 Star; Burma Star, clasp, Pacific; War Medal 1939-45; Korea Medal 1950-53 (Lt A J Austin RN), with M.I.D. oakleaf; United Nations Medal for Korea; Oman, Kingdom, Peace Medal; Tenth Anniversary Medal, mounted as worn, minor contact wear, very fine (7)

Anthony John Austin was born at London on 7 January 1927. He was commissioned Midshipman on 1 May 1944 with H.M.S. London. It is likely with this ship that he saw Pacific service in the last years of the war. After the end of hostilities Austin was promoted Sub-Lieutenant aboard H.M.S. Sluys on 6 November 1945.

While he was serving Austin trained as a pilot, being awarded his Aero Certificate on 14 June 1946 at Gosport. Posted to R.N.A.S. Lossiemouth at Fulmar with 766 Squadron he was promoted Lieutenant (Pilot) on 16 January 1948. While here he suffered his first prang, the dive hood disintegrating mid-flight causing injury to Austin who was forced to jettison.

Joining 804 Squadron aboard H.M.S. Glory on 27 July 1950. Only two days later he suffered his second accident, a forced landing following a loss of power with brought him down at Derna. Austin was unhurt but the cab of his Sea-Fury was written off.

Entering the Korean War with Glory, Austin served with them until 8 August 1950 when he transferred to 807 Squadron aboard H.M.S. Ocean. During this time Austin continued to fly Sea Fury's, notably he is pictured in a copy of Korea - From Prop to Jet with his aircraft, which had previously been flown by Lt. Peter Carmichael as is denoted by the MiG Kill marking on the aircraft's side. The air war over Korea was a difficult affair for the UN forces, attempting to intercept fast moving MiGs before they bought down the American B-29 bombers. Nevertheless Austin performed well, being 'mentioned' on 9 July 1951 and seeing service on Theseus.

With the end of hostilities in 1953 Austin was posted back to Britain with R.N.A.S. Culdrose and served in a variety of postings with a number of units including 738 Squadron and 891 Squadron. Stationed at Yeovilton he learned to pilot Sea Vampires, suffering yet another accident while here when on 12 November 1954 he flew into a flock of starlings on take-off. Promoted Lieutenant-Commander on 16 January 1956 he was appointed commander of 1832 Squadron on 12 July 1956 flying Sea Vampires out of R.N.A.S. Ford. The Squadron was disbanded on 10 March 1957. Leaving the Navy Lists that year Austin appears to retire at that stage, later seeing service with the Sultan of Oman's Royal Air Force which formed two years later in March 1959; sold together with an 804 Squadron badge in silver-gilt and enamel with 'J. L. W. June 59' engraved on the reverse along with original newspaper cuttings and articles including extracts from Wing's over Oman and Korea - from prop to Jet as well as handwritten notes, squadron records, a London Gazette entry and accident report with handwritten notes and a copied photograph of the recipient.

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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£140