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Auction: 23002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 129

'A very flat out and gallant young gunner. His success against the ME 109 on 2/6/42 has raised him to a state of elation, in which he is prepared to take on the Luftwaffe single-handed. His enthusiasm is infectious and is having an excellent effect in his Squadron.'

Praiseworthy words of the Officer Commanding R.A.F. Binbrook.

The D.F.M. awarded to Sergeant R. Bush, No. 142 Squadron, Royal Air Force; tragically this 'gallant young gunner' would never see his decoration as he was to lose his life just two days after the above report was written

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (635036 Sgt. R. Bush. R.A.F.), extremely fine

D.F.M. London Gazette 27 July 1943. Further details on Bush's award can be understood from the statement of the Officer Commanding No. 142 Squadron:

'This N.C.O. has displayed excellent qualities as an Air Gunner. During the operational sorties he has made over enemy and occupied territory he has shown an alertness under fire, and enthusiasm for his task which has proved an inspiration to all with whom he has come in contact. On many occasions his skilful handling of his guns and turret have resulted in his aircraft reaching its home base in safety. One occasion when returning from Essen his aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter under conditions of light favourable to the enemy. However, Sgt. Bush's skill and superiority in gunnery over his opponent resulted in the enemy fighter being destroyed.'

Robert Bush, a native of Halifax, Yorkshire, was born in February 1921 and noted as working at Halifax railway station for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway prior to joining the Royal Air Force in 1937 at the tender age of 16. Clearly a keen and competent airman, by the time he was 21 Bush had already been promoted to Sergeant, and the remarks of his superiors do nothing but support this fact.

No. 142 Squadron were equipped with Vickers Wellington long-range medium bombers, and as part of this unit Bush flew 14 sorties totalling some 70 hours 20 minutes, all of them as Rear Gunner; targets included Brest, Wilhelmshaven, Le Havre, Cologne and Essen. Additional details from his confidential report also note that during the first raid on Brest, a shrapnel blast pierced his turret and flying jacket; there were several Flak hits on his 'plane on the raid to Cologne; and his greatest moment of glory came during the second raid on Essen (2 June 1942) when he personally accounted for an enemy M.E. 109 fighter. His run of good fortune was not to last, however, as during a raid on Hamburg on the night of 26 July 1942, his bomber - Z1376 - was lost without trace. Subsequently commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Bush's D.F.M. was officially gazetted exactly one year after his death.

Sold with a most comprehensive file of copied research including confidential reports, extracts from local newspapers, Squadron lists and reports, and associated other papers.

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Sold for
£1,700

Starting price
£1400