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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 719

(x) A superb 1944 D.F.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant R. M. Calder, No. 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1565307. Sgt. R. M. Calder. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (5)

D.F.M. London Gazette 8 December 1944, the original recommendation states:

'This Non-Commissioned Officer has completed 36 sorties against the enemy, and flown a total of 143 operational hours as Wireless Operator. He has carried out attacks against many of the heaviest defended of targets, including Acheres, Aachen and Kiel. Sergeant Calder's courage, skill and initiative are beyond question, whilst his remarkable devotion to duty, both in the air and on the ground, is worthy of the highest praise. He possesses a fine offensive spirit in action combined with a complete disregard for personal safety, and has shown himself to be an outstanding member of a gallant crew. He is considered worthy of the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal'

Ronald McDonald Calder was born on 13 January 1923 at Edinburgh, the son of James and Nellie Calder, working as a Barman prior to attesting with the Royal Air Force 3 December 1941 and being mobilised on 26 June 1942. Appointed Sergeant on 28 July 1943 he began to train as a Wireless Operator, completing the course Calder became Wireless Operator (Air) on 11 August 1944 being appointed Flight Sergeant the next day.

Calder began to flying missions with N. 76 Squadron on 9 April 1944 over Lille in Halifax LW.681 "Y". The attack was a success but "Y" was attacked by a German FW190 fighter on the return journey, successfully driving it off. His next raid was just the next day, this time over Tergnier, returning to the same target the next week on 18 April. "Y" was again in combat just ten days later over Acheres, exchanging shots with another FW190 and a JU88.

As series of raids soon followed in quick succession with another one in April, seven in May and nine in June. It was during this month that perhaps the most astonishing of Calder's experiences occurred, during a raid over Amiens on the night of 12-13 June. On this occasion he was again flying in "Y" piloted by Flight-Sergeant Galbraith, in a tight formation with a number of other bombers. On history of the Squadron relates what happened next, stating:

'Positioned just about centre of the stream of aircraft jockeying for a place in the bombing-run, bomb-doors open in readiness, Galbraith unwittingly flew beneath another aircraft in his wave. A sound quite unlike anything heard before pierced his ear drums. For a spilt second he froze in his seat and then the inhuman shriek was gone. Gingerly he nudged the controls, the Halifax responded gently to his touch, but that something awful had happened there could be no doubt. He had not long to wait. A pale faced flight engineer reported that a bomb had passed clean through their aircraft. No one was hurt, but at Woodbride, where Galbraith eventually landed, an onlooker remarked that he had never known such a badly damaged aircraft to survive.'

Calder's own log book records the incident in less dramatic detail stating 'Bomb dropped on wing, crashed Woodbrige.'. Despite this they were soon back in the air only four days later over Domleger and Noyelle En Chausse on 23 June.

The final attack for the month was over the Marshalling Yards at Blainville on 28 June, with intense combat reported between the attacking formation and enemy aircraft. Halifax "Y" reported damage to a JU88 as a result of the fighting. A further eight raids followed in July, with heavy flak reported over the target on each occasion.

Calder's last tour of operational flying with No. 76 Squadron was August 1944, largely over heavily defended land targets. During a raid over Cappel on 11 August his Halifax suffered several near misses and was holed by flak. His final mission was over the Tractable 22 Battle Area, Cean on 14 August, again suffering flak damage.

This was to be his last mission with No. 76 Squadron, Calder was married the next year on 6 June 1945 at St. Phillip's Church, Logie Green Road, Edinburgh to Margaret Dryden. He is described as a 'Flight Sergeat Royal Air Force' and 'engaged in War Service', his bride is noted as a 'Motor Van Driver'. Calder was advanced Warrant Officer not long later on 12 August 1945, his awards were signed off upon in September 1945 at R.A.F. Westcott; sold together with a mixed archive of original and copied research comprising:

i)
Airman's Service and Pay Book.

ii)
Photographs box of the recipient and pages from his flying log book.

iii)
Birth and Marriage certificates.

iv)
Copied recommendations for awards.

v)
Squadron Operations Book extracts.

vi)
An extract from a Squadron History.

vii)
London Gazette extract.

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

Sold for
£1,700

Starting price
£1100