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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 649

A poignant family group:

The well-documented Second World War casualty's group of three awarded to Sergeant F. Saunders, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

His Wellington of No. 166 Squadron, in which he was serving as Wireless Operator, was shot down on a sortie to Wilhelmshaven on the night of the 19th-20th February 1943, a victim the night fighter ace Fw. Herbert Altner of 7/NJG3

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, extremely fine

The Second World War campaign group of three awarded to Stoker J. A. Saunders, Merchant Navy, who was killed in action aboard the cable ship Mondara on 25 April 1942

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, extremely fine (6)

The Second World War campaign pair awarded to Assistant Steward A. J. Saunders, Merchant Navy, late Royal Navy

1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, in their original addressed O.H.M.S. forwarding box, good very fine (8)

Frank Saunders was born in 1922, the son of Frederick and Ellen Saunders of Buckland, Portsmouth.

Enlisting in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Force at the end of 1941, he qualified as an Air Gunner and Wireless Operator, and it was in the latter capacity that he joined No. 166 Squadron, a Wellington unit based at R.A.F. Kirmington, Lincolnshire in January 1943.

Teaming-up with Sergeant Bastick's crew, he flew his first sortie - a 'gardening' operation - at the end of the same month, swiftly followed by four sorties against Lorient in the first half of February.

Then, on the night of 19-20 February 1943, as a crew member in Wellington BJ973 AS-J, he was detailed to an attack on Wilhelmshaven. At 2056 hours, however, his aircraft was engaged and shot down by Fw. Herbert Altner of 7/NJG3, crashing near Flensburg.

Saunders, who was 21 years of age, is buried in Kiel War Cemetery.

Sold together with his original R.A.F. Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying Log Book (Form 1767), covering his entire flying career, from entries at No. 2 Signals School in July 1942, up until his death in action on 19 February 1943, with related R.A.F. Record Office forwarding letter addressed to his mother, dated 31 October 1951; together with his Buckingham Palace memorial scroll and letter of condolence, the former in the name of 'Sergeant F. Saunders, Royal Air Force', and a copy of No. 1 Group, Bomber Command's Roll of Honour 1939-45, in its original forwarding envelope addressed to his mother.

Joseph Arthur Saunders was born on 6 December 1914, the son of Frederick and Ellen Saunders of Buckland, Portsmouth. As recorded by official records, he died on active service on 25 April 1942, aged 27, while serving as a Stoker in the Merchant Navy in the cable ship Mondara. He was buried in Kingston Cemetery, Portsmouth, the family gravestone stating that he was 'killed in action', likely because of an enemy aircraft attack; sold together with the recipient's original Buckingham Place memorial scroll in the name of 'Stoker J. A. Saunders, Merchant Navy'.

Alfred John Saunders was born in Portsmouth on 27 December 1919. He appears to have witnessed active service in the Royal Navy in the Second World War, his campaign medal entitlement suggesting his possible capture by the enemy, or certainly a short seagoing career; sold together with his original Seaman's Record Book and Certificate of Service, with portrait photograph and entries for voyages undertaken in 1950, together with his National Union of Seamen Probationary membership card.

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Sold for
£650

Starting price
£320