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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 405

(x) A 1948 A.F.C. group of six awarded to Warrant Officer D. S. Campbell, Royal Air Force, a skilled Parachute operator and instructor, Campbell notched up no less than 228 descents in his distinguished career which included dropping the 4th (Parachute) Squadron, Royal Engineers on Arnhem, besides instructing scores of parachutists for both the British and Indian Armies and being a display parachutist to boot

Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1948'; 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (W/O D. S. Campbell. (541331) R.A.F.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (541331 F. Sgt. D. S. Campbell. R.A.F.), mounted as worn, good very fine (6)

A.F.C. London Gazette 1 January 1948.

Donald Sinclair Campbell was born on 5 August 1914 and was a farm worker by trade upon his joining the Royal Air Force on 8 June 1937. A physical training instructor, he gained his Parachute Badge on 26 June 1943 and thence became a Parachuting Instructor and Air Despatcher. As the Second World War continued, Campbell was himself to continue training the growing airborne forces. This saw several references as the 4th (Parachute) Squadron, Royal Engineers prepared for their foray into action.

This was especially evident in late August 1944, when the final preparation 'jumps' were made by that aforementioned unit. They thence moved down to Spanhoe and were eventually sent into Arnhem on 18 September 1944, Campbell playing his own part (although his Log Book erroneously states 15 September):

'Ops DESPATCHING

Operation "Market" from Spanhoe. 4th Sqdn R.E.s. Pleasant trip. Excellent stick. 4hrs 50 mins.'

Little more needs to be written regarding the Arnhem operations but it cannot be said that Campbell didn't play his own part. In October 1944 he was posted to No. 3 Parachute Training School, Chaklala (India Command), in order to pass on his skills. Soon into the fray, in November 1944 he flew for 9hrs 15mins and made five descents by parachute, taking his own total to 150hrs 55 mins and no less than 72 personal descents. He was to raise his century of parachute descents in June 1945 and also took part in several Instructors Demonstrations, including a stand-up landing on the Pindi Football Pitch, Victoria Park on 23 November 1946 whilst still in India. He left for Palestine in December 1947 (Medal & clasp) and latterly returned to England, serving at No. 1 Parachute Training Wing, RAF Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire.

Campbell's own contribution to the development and training of airborne troops in this period is nothing short of magnificent, with his A.F.C. surely having been a reward for his work in India and Palestine. By the time of his final entry in his Log Book at the end of September 1951, he would have totals of 337hrs 10mins and a remarkable 228 descents by parachute to his name. Campbell was discharged on 12 December 1957; sold together with his two Royal Air Force Navigator's, Air Bomber's and Air Gunner's Flying Log Book (Form 1767), covering his entire career and with entries from 15 August 1943-20 September 1951, Certificate of Service, cap Badge and photograph of the recipient and his wife.

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

Sold for
£1,800

Starting price
£1300