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Auction: 397 - Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria - e-Auction
Lot: 295

Great Britain. Miniature Group to Wing Commander M.K. Sewell, D.F.C, A.F.C., p.s.a, R.A.F.:
Distinguished Flying Cross - George VI; Air Force Cross - George VI; General Service Medal-George VI with "Palestine" clasp; 1939-1945 Star; Air Crew Europe Star with "France and Germany" clasp; Defense Medal; and WWII Medal with oak leaf; rose and oak leaf on bar. Also included: two ribbon bars, two of Sewell's RAF embroidered insignia; and Sewell's two RAF Pilot Flying Log Books, 1939-1957; two Buckingham Palace admission passes for the June 30 1942 investiture; notice of and congratulations on Sewell's D.F.C. and A.F.C. and newpaper clips regarding his D.F.C.

Sewell joined the Royal Air Force in 1937. By 1939, he was flying in a bomber transport squadron in missions over Egypt, the eastern Mediterranean and Africa, and acted as personal pilot to Lord Wavell, then G.O.C. in C. Middle East Forces. He was also involved in evacuating the British Expeditionary Force and Advanced Air Striking Force from Belgium and France; being mentioned in Dispatches for the siege of Calais.

From 1940 to 1942, Sewell was involved in intensive bombing operations in the Middle East, serving as squadron leader and flight commander, and in operations in Libya, Greece, Crete, Iraq, Syria, Malta, Tripolitania, the Dodecanese and Italy. He received immediate awarding of the Distinguished Flying Cross in Crete. From 1942 to 1944, he performed staff duties at the Air Ministry, Whitehall, and was a member of the War Cabinet Planning team studying for war against Japan.

Sewell took part in intensive operations against Germany from 1944 to 1945 - Mosquitoes, Pathfinder Force, Bomber Command. He was appointed to Command No. 162 Squadron in the Pathfinder Force, Bomber Command, and completed 37 marker and Master Bomber sorties, mostly over Berlin; completing three operational tours. He was awarded the Pathfinder Badge.

His squadron was afterward transferred to a transport command, flying diplomatic mail around the world. Sewell was awarded the Air Force Cross. He was captured by the Russians at Lodz, Poland and later released. Subsequently he served as Chief Test Pilot, R.A.F., Germany, was appointed to Command No. 69 Squadron - Mosquitoes in 1947, promoted substantive Wing Commander, then Command No. 139 Mosquito Tactical Wing, Berlin Corridor.

After attending R.A.F. Staff College in 1948, Sewell was awarded p.s.a. (Passed Staff Academy). In 1951, he was appointed to Command the R.A.F. Station Thornby, Vampires and Meteors, followed by service as Wing Commander Operations in the Scottish Fighter Sector, Vampire and Meteors, then appointment to Command Malta Fighter Section. In 1956, Sewell was appointed to Command R.A.F. Bishops Court, Northern Ireland. From 1957 to 1961, he returned to staff duties at the Air Ministry, Whitehall.

Both Log Books, neat, quite interesting content and Very Fine; the medals and insignia Extremely Fine.

Sold for
$750

Starting price
$240