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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 644

(x) Three: Warrant Officer R. Mercer, Royal Air Force

1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, extremely fine (3)

Robert Mercer enlisted on 8 July 1942 and began his training as a Flight Engineer at No.111 O.T.U. Nassau on 13 December 1943, flying B24 Liberators. He returned to the U.K. in March 1944 and was sent to No.1674 H.C.U. Aldegrove, Northern Ireland, where he continued his training as an Engineer on Liberators. Moving to 206 Sqn St.Eval in April 1944 he has his first U Boat on the 10 June 1944 as part of Anti-Submarine Recconiassance which was the role of Liberators. The Squadron moves to Leuchars, Scotland on 11 July 1944 and continues with Anti-Submarine Patrols as far away as Trondheim in Norway. His plane was attacked by two Ju.88 on 28 September along with four Flak Vessels on a patrol to Stavanger. A further chase by 4 twin E-fighters on the 13 February 1945 saw him escape unscathed again. The final U Boat sighting he had was on 5 May 1945 where a patrol to Kattergat saw them attack an Oil Wake of a submerged U Boat after 3 U Boats had been attacked, his log book notes "Survivors Seen".

At the end of the war in Europe 206 Squadron became part of Transport Command and Mercer remains with the Squadron still flying Liberators flying to Iraq, Karachi and Palestine to name but a few destinations. He completes a York Conversion Course at Stradishall in May 1946 but concludes his Engineer duty on 23 May 1946.

He was discharged on 27 August 1946.

Sold together with the following original archive comprising:

(i)
Box for WW2 medals with Air Council slip.

(ii)
Royal Air Force Service and Release Book.

(iii)
R.C.A.F. Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying Log Book.

(iv)
Flight Engineer's cloth wings.

(v)
Photograph of flight crew noted as 'The Crew After our 2nd "Attack" in the Channel'. Dated on the reverseJuly 18th 1944 St. Eval.

(vi)
Two pieces of unused notepaper from Royal Air Force, Queen Hotel, Harrogate.

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

Sold for
£300

Starting price
£110