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Auction: 6017 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 133

A Second War D.F.C. Group of Eight to Squadron Leader J.C. Harris Ward, Royal Air Force, For 24 Operational Sorties as Flight Engineer, 51 Squadron, Including the Peenemunde Moonlight Raid, 17.8.1943 Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse dated ´1944´; 1939-1945 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaf; General Service 1918-62, E.II.R., one clasp, Cyprus (Sqn. Ldr. J.C. Harris-Ward. R.A.F.), rank officially corrected; Coronation 1953, very fine or better, mounted as originally worn except Defence Medal; with (8) associated miniature awards; a quantity of R.A.F. brass buttons; medal riband bar; Engineers´ Wings (3); cloth and rank insignia; D.F.C. Royal Mint case of issue; Navigator´s, Air Bomber´s and Air Gunner´s Flying Log Book (18.3.1943-26.2.1944); The Group with the following Official Documents: - Commission appointing J.C. Harris-Ward, as Pilot Officer, R.A.F., dated 9.11.1943 - Same for Flying Officer, dated 14.1.1947 - Same for Flight Lieutenant, dated 6.9.1949 - Mention in Despatches Certificate - Named Enclosure document for Coronation Medal - Letter from Ministry of Defence, on occasion of the recipient´s retirement, dated 30.6.1966, with Royal Air Forces Association Membership Card and other ephemera (lot) Estimate £ 1,200-1,400D.F.C. London Gazette 15.2.1944 158284 Pilot Officer Joseph Clifford Harris-Ward, 51 Sqn, R.A.F.V.R., The Recommendation states, ´Pilot Officer Harris-Ward has carried out 24 Operational Sorties as a Flight Engineer since his posting to the Squadron in May 1943. Throughout these sorties, he has carried out his duties in a most efficient manner. Under a calm and quiet manner he has a fine offensive spirit in action which inspires confidence and as a member of an Operational Crew, his keenness and ability is outstanding. Remarks by Station Commander: ´This officer has always shown a particular desire to learn everything possible about his aircraft so that whatever the emergency or difficulty that might be encountered he would be ready to overcome it. His highly commendable ideals and energetic enthusiasm contributed much to the success of his crew.´ M.I.D. London Gazette 11.6.1942 Corporal J.C. Harris-Ward R.A.F. Squadron Leader Joseph Clifford Harris-Ward, D.F.C., born Cockermouth, Cumbria; educated at Cockermouth Secondary School before joining the R.A.F. School at Halton, aged 16; posted as Flight Engineer to 51 Squadron (Halifaxes), Snaith, Yorkshire, 21.4.1943; flew in 24 Operational Sorties with the Squadron including: Duisberg; Dortmund; Wuppertal (2); Mulheim; Gelsenkirchen; Cologne; Aachen; Montbeliard; Hamburg (3); Essen; Remscheid; Nuremberg (2); Milan; Peenemunde, 17.8.1943, the moonlight raid on the V-2 Rocket research facility, controlled by Group Captain J.H. Searby; Berlin; Hannover (2); Mannheim and Kassel; Pilot Officer 25.8.1943; Flying Officer 24.10.1946; Flight Lieutenant 15.12.1948.

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£2,400