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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 767

(x) A Malaya Helicopter Pilot's D.F.M. group of four to J. G. Ward, Royal Air Force

Distinguished Flying Medal, E.II.R. erased; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (1601310 Sgt. J. G. Ward. R.A.F.), very fine (4)

D.F.M. London Gazette 27 June 1958, the original recommendation states:

'For sustained devotion to duty and for showing unusual resource and skill on operational duties with the Royal Air Force in Malaya.'

Joseph Giffard Ward was born on 19 July 1924 at Cambridgeshire and enlisted into the Royal Air Force in 1942. Training at U.S. Naval Stations at Detroit and Pensacola he undertook Aircraft Carrier Take-offs and Landings. Ward then returned to the U.K. in 1944 but did not fly operationally, transferring to the Fleet Air Arm in 1945 where he served until 1947 as a Sub Lieutenant. Between 1947-1950 he trained as a Helicopter pilot at Westland Aircraft Works, Yeovil, Somerset.

He re-joined the Royal Air Force in 1950 as a Sergeant Pilot with No.58 Squadron at Wyton, flying in both Mosquitos and later Canberras on Photo Reconnaissance work, on one of occasion in the latter his aircraft was subject to a bird strike which resulted in a blocked Pitot tube and a blowing up of a Jet Turbine.

Ward was sent to the Far East in 1955 being based at R.A.F. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and flew Bristol Sycamore helicopters with No.194 Squadron as part of casualty evacuation bringing out sick and wounded, where he won his Distinguished Flying Medal for his bravery.

Leaving the Royal Air Force in 1958 he joined Allen Bristow flying helicopters in Nigeria from 1958-63, returning to the U.K. as a result of a family illness.

Emigrating to Australia in 1964 he continued flying helicopters in a civilian capacity, located in Western Australia he flew for the Hammersley Iron Company until retiring in 1983.

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

Sold for
£650

Starting price
£200