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Auction: 7022 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 1255

A Second War Hampden Navigator/Air Bomber´s D.F.M. Group of Four to Sergeant L.H. Adams, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Who Flew in 29 Night Operations, And Was Tragically Killed in a Flying Accident, 18.11.1941 a) Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (742983 Sgt. L.H. Adams. R.A.F.), suspension slack, minor edge bruise b) 1939-1945 Star c) Air Crew Europe Star d) War Medal, otherwise virtually mint state, the campaign awards with enclosure slip, in card box of issue addressed to ´Mrs. C.A. Adams, 33, Lovelace Ave., Southend on Sea, Essex´; Pilot´s Flying Log Book (14.2.1939-17.11.1941), sold with a large amount of research with the following related items and original documents: - Recipient´s R.A.F. ´Wings´, (2) photographs of Adams and a newspaper cutting - Original copy of the London Gazette for 25.4.1941, which lists recipient´s D.F.M. - Letter from Record Office, Royal Air Force to recipient´s wife confirming his death, dated 21.11.1941 - (3) letters from Irving Air Chute of Great Britain Ltd to recipient concerning his membership of the Caterpillar Club, dated 30.9.1940, 16.10.1940 and 2.11.1940; letter from recipient´s Commanding Officer at R.A.F. Lindholme to the forementioned company, confirming his ´jump´, dated 5.10.1940 - (3) letters from the Caterpillar Club to the recipient´s wife, dated 12.2.1942, 8.3.1942 and 17.3.1942; letter and a Christmas Card from Warrant Officer H. Crum, D.F.M., Pilot for the majority of Adam´s sorties, to the recipient´s widow (lot) Estimate £ 1,600-1,800 D.F.M. London Gazette 25.4.1941 742983 Sergeant Linford Herbert Adams, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 50 Squadron Sergeant Linford Herbert Adams, D.F.M., born Hornsey, London, 1915; educated at Southend High School and Southend Technical College; joined Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 7.2.1939, with early training postings including at: No. 6 S.F.T.S., Little Rissington, 10.10.1939-28.4.1940 and No. 16 O.T.U., Upper Heyford, 4.5.1940-9.8.1940; after a brief period (9.8.1940-25.8.1940) with 106 Squadron, Finningley, Adams was posted for service with 50 Squadron (Hampdens), Linholme, 25.8.1940, and flew in 29 night operational sorties with the squadron including: Laeso; Ostend; Lorient (5); Calais; Bremen (2); Magdeburg (2); Hamburg (2); Mannheim (2); 17.11.1940 ´Operations -Spiekebroog-Crashed on landing´ (Log Book refers); 25.11.1940 ´Bombing - Kiel - Crashed´ (Log Book refers); Bonn; Hanover; Brest and Bremen (2); Adam´s D.F.M. was presented to him by the King at Buckingham Palace, 4.11.1941; on 20.9.1940 after returning from an aborted sortie to the Netherlands, with the port engine appearing to be on fire the order to bale out was given and Adams duly followed the command, landing in the middle of Hemswell Aerodrome on a stormy night; however, due to the inclement weather the rest of the crew, not keen on jumping into the unknown decided to stay with the aircraft and they safely managed to crash land, thus making Adams the only member of the then crew to qualify for membership of the Caterpillar Club; with his first tour completed Adams was posted for instuctorial duties to No. 25 O.T.U., Finningley, 28.2.1941; it was whilst at this posting that he was tragically killed in a flying accident, piloting Manchester Bomber L7428, 18.11.1941; the aircraft crashed at Scaftworth, near Bawtry, Yorkshire, killing three of the five crew members; Adams is buried in Sutton Road Cemetery, Southend.

Sold for
£2,800