British Groups

Lot 4008    The J.J.Atkinson Collection    British Groups

Estimate $11,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $15,500

GROUP OF EIGHT TO GROUP CAPTAIN RONALD HARTLEY CARTER, Royal Air Force Distinguished Service Order (1940); Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE); Distinguished Flying Cross (1937); India General Service Medal 1936 - one bar - North West Frontier 1936-37 (S/L. R.H.Carter R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, Defence Medal; British War Medal 1939-45 (MID). India General Service Medal only named, impressed. Others unnamed. Generally good very fine and extremely rare.

DSO: London Gazette 24 December 1940. 'This officer commanded No.240 (Flying Boat) Squadron during the first 13 months of the war when it attained a total of more that 6,000 hours operational flying. He himself flew 300 hours on operational tasks in the course of 38 sorties which included a difficult reconnaissance of Hardstadt, Tromso and the adjacent Islands on 1 May 1940, and an exceptionally fine, detailed and complete reconnaissance of the Faroe Islands on 10 April.'

OBE: London Gazette 11 July 1940. 'In recognition of distinguished service rendered in operational commands of the Royal Air Force during the six months ending on the 1st March, 1940.'

DFC: London Gazette 21 December 1937. 'For gallant and distinguished services rendered in connection with the operations in Waziristan during the period 17th January to 15th September, 1937. This officer commanded No.60 (B) Squadron throughout the operations. By his personal example of gallantry and efficiency, both in the air and on the ground, he engendered an excellent spirit in all officers and airmen under him. He personally carried out as many raids by day and night as other members of the squadron. These necessitated many hours under enemy fire, over mountainous country, and on several occasions under very adverse weather conditions.'

MID: London Gazette 17 March 1941. 'His Majesty has been graciously pleased to give orders for the publication of the name of the following officers and airmen who have been mentioned in despatches by Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.'

MID: London Gazette 1 January 1942. 'The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the publication of the name of the following personnel who have been mentioned in despatches by Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.'

Together with biographical details; photograph of recipient in uniform; copies of the recommendations for the awards; copies of the relevant London Gazette entries; and flying log book extracts.

Ronald Hartley Carter was born on 14 September 1902, son of Brigadier-General Charles Carter and educated at the Royal Naval College, Osborne and Dartmouth RAF Cranwell. Carter entered the air force as a Pilot/Officer with No.3 Squadron at Gosport, Hampshire. He then went on to serve overseas at Iraq (1925-26) and Egypt (1926-29) before returning to the UK. In 1935 Carter attended the RAF College at Andover. After being promoted to Squadron Leader on 1 August 1936, Carter took command of No.60 (Bomber) Squadron at Kohat, India. For service during the Waziristan Operations in 1937, Carter was presented the DFC (see citation). He later returned to the UK in 1939 and was promoted to Wing Commander on 1 April.

Following the outbreak of hostilities Carter joined No.240 Squadron (Flying Boat) in the Shetland Islands and eventually took command of the group in May 1940. From their Shetland Island base, Carter's squadron flew London II aircraft carrying out reconnaissance missions along the Norwegian coast and occasionally attacking targets of opportunity. By summer 1940 Carter had been gazetted for an OBE and on 1 September he assumed command of RAF Stranraer. Then, after completing 300 hours of operational flying he was awarded the DSO.

Carter was promoted to Group Captain on 1 September 1941 and was transferred to stationing at several overseas posts; Medmenham, Iceland and West Africa. In 1943 he returned to the Shetlands before moving on to the Middle East and Nairobi in 1944 where he remained for the duration of the war. He retired from the air force in 1949.