Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Singles

Lot 4801    SESSION 18 (2.30PM FRIDAY 29TH JULY)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Singles

Estimate $100
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $200

SINGLE TO KIA: Africa Star. A87 P R Heath. Impressed. No ribbon, toned good very fine.

Peter Ronald Heath, born 27Jan1914 at Clifton, Qld; attended Maitland High School; joined RAAF as a Cadet in 1935; Appt Pilot Officer Jan1936; Died 19Nov1940 as Squadron Leader with 3 Squadron in air battle in Middle East; commemorated on Roll of Honour in Muswellbrook, NSW.

A report in the Warwick Daily News, Queensland, on Friday 22 November 1940, page 1 stated as follows.
'Squadron Leader Missing

Canberra, Thursday-Squadron Leader Peter Ronald Heath (26), whose widow and two children live in Melbourne and whose parents are at Muswellbrook (N.S.W), failed to return from a victorious air encounter in the Western Desert against the Italians. He is believed to be dead. The announcement of the engagement was made in the House of Representatives to-day by Mr. McEwen. Squadron Leader Heath joined the R.A.A.F. as a cadet in 1935, and was appointed a pilot officer in January, 1936.'

Later newspaper reports confirmed that Squadron Leader Peter Ronald Heath was killed while leading an Australian flight of four Gloster Gladiator fighter planes which engaged and routed superior forces of 17 Italian fighter aircraft in the Western Desert in what was described as Australia's first air battle of the war. Five Italian planes were shot down and Squadron Leader Heath's aircraft crashed while diving to evade an Italian plane on his tail.

With basic research.