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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 658

The campaign group of five attributed to Flight Sergeant E. Ewan, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew as part of the third wave of Operation Chastise, the Dambuster's raid

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (5)

Eric Ewan was born at Wolverhampton in 1922, the son of Thomas Rawlinson Ewan and Jane Ewan. Joining the Royal Air Force on 29 June 1941 he was not to begin his flight training until the next year on 15 June 1942. Joining No. 2 Air Gunnery School, Dalcross on 24 July 1942 he qualified as an Air Gunner before being posted to No. 1654 Conversion Unit at R.A.F. Wigsley, Nottinghamshire on 15 June.

While with this unit he flew as part of Operation Chastise, the Dambuster's raid, with the third wave in Cyril Anderson's Lancaster. They did not reach their target, the Sorpe Dam, suffering from navigation issues as well as taking flak damage. Posted to 49 Squadron they flew a number of raids including several over Krefeld and Berlin.

Returning from a raid over Mannheim, they were shot down by a nightfighter near Offenbach on 23 September. None of the crew survived and their bodies were buried by a local priest. They were re-interned after the war at Rheinberg War Cemetery; sold together with copied research.

For the medal of his father Private Thomas Ewan, see Lot 447.

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Sold for
£280

Starting price
£140