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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 302

(x) A superb 1944 King's Medal for Bravery group of three awarded to Acting Sergeant V. A. Faul, South African Air Force, decorated for brave attempts at rescuing two men at Zwartkop Air Station

Union of South Africa King's Medal for Bravery (189606 V. A./Cpl. J. P. Faul S.A.A.F.); War Medal 1939-45 (189606 J. P. Faul); Africa Service Medal 1939-45 (189606 J. P. Faul), good very fine (3)

K.M.B. London Gazette 21 April 1944:

'Commended for outstanding courage and determination in attempting to rescue airmen overcome by petrol fumes in an aircraft tank. While working in a Catalina petrol tank at Zwartkop Air station on 3 July 1943, two airmen were overcome by petrol fumes. One was successfully extricated but considerable difficulty was experienced in removing the second man. A.C.I. Cheney was lying entangled with the cross-bracing in the tank, remote from the manhole. After other members of the rescue party were forced by fumes to withdraw, A/Cpl. Faul climbed into the tank and single-handed attempted to move the body of the unconscious airman into a position from which he could be taken out of the tank. He was well aware of the danger to which he was exposed but for almost an hour persevered until finally the body of the victim was maneuvered through the bracing in the tank, but unfortunately life was found to be extinct. A/Cpl. Faul, during the operations, was repeatedly requested to come out of the tank, but he persisted in remaining there until the body of A.C. Cheney had been extricated. Working under most difficult and dangerous conditions, he displayed exemplary conduct, courage and devotion to duty.'

Joseph Piek Faul was born on 3 November 1915 and worked as a Lorry Driver for the Director of Irrigation. Attesting with the South African Air Force on 20 June 1940 he was rated as a Clerk Refueller. Posted to Zwartkop Air Station he was to serve there for the next three years, committing his act of heroism towards the end of his posting in early 1944. He was later posted to the 2nd Air Depot and finally the Pretoria Show Grounds on 13 September 1945 by which time he was an Acting Sergeant; sold together with copied research comprising recommendation for award, a letter of congratulations from the Director General of the Air Force and Service Papers.

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

Sold for
£4,000

Starting price
£600