British Groups

Lot 4023    The J.J.Atkinson Collection    British Groups

Estimate $8,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $9,500

GROUP OF FIVE TO FLYING OFFICER FREDERICK CHARLES BONE ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE, Distinguished Flying Cross (1944) and bar for second award (1944); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star (France and Germany); British War Medal 1939-45; Police Exemplary Service Medal (EIIR) (Const. Frederick C. Bone). Police Exemplary Service Medal named, impressed, others unnamed. About extremely fine.

DFC: London Gazette 13 June 1944. 'In recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy. As observer and pilot respectively, these officers have participated in many sorties. They have displayed a high degree of skill and co-operation and have destroyed eight enemy aircraft at night, three of them in one sortie in May 1944. Their achievement on this occasion merited the greatest praise. These officers have set a fine example of devotion to duty. Pilot Officer Bone was crewed up with Pilot Officer Miller at the O.T.U. and has subsequently continuously flown with P/O Miller and has share all his successes commencing with the Ju. 88 and Do. 217 destroyed during the raid on Plymouth on 12 June 1943, followed by the Ju. 88, 11 August 1943, and subsequently with 169 (B.S.) Squadron, the destruction of an Me. 110, 5 February 1944, followed by a further Me. 110, 23 April, 1944, and finally, the triple victory of two Ju. 88s and one Me. 110 destroyed on the night of 15 May 1944, and in these final combats he employed the utmost energy and skill in guiding his pilot on to his victims. He is a very competent Navigator/Radio Operator, and has spared no effort to improve his technique, and it has been by his coolness, judgement, and skill of operating that success has been so well achieved. Credit for the magnificent record set by this crew is to a very great extent due to him.'

Remarks Air Officer Commanding: 'Pilot Officer Bone, with his pilot, Pilot Officer Miller, recently destroyed three enemy night fighters within fifteen minutes during a Bomber Support operation. This success was the culminating effort of a fine operational record in which he has shown conspicuous determination and courage. I very strongly recommend him for the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.'

DFC (bar): London Gazette 3 October 1944. 'In recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy. Flying Officer Miller and Flying Officer Bone have completed many sorties. They have displayed a high degree of skill and co-operation and their keenness to engage the enemy has been most evident. They have destroyed ten hostile aircraft. This Officer was awarded the D.F.C. on 28 May 1944, as a result of his achievements while flying with Flying Officer W.H. Miller, D.F.C., resulting in the destruction of eight enemy aircraft. He has flown with the same pilot on all subsequent operations, which have further accounted for the destruction of two more enemy aircraft: a Ju.88 on the night of June 16/17 1944 and an Me. 109 on the night of August 10/11 1944. The ever improving skill and drive of this Navigator has placed this crew in a very high category.'

Flying Officer Frederick Charles Bone and Flying Officer Wilfred Handel Miller claimed their first three 'kills' in a Beaufighter VI of No 125 Squadron, switching to Mosquito aircraft upon transfer to 169 Squadron. Their 11th and final victory came on the night of 12/13 August 1944 when they shot down an He. 219 over Heligoland. Because this was the first sighting of this type of aircraft, they followed it at close range in order to get it on film. Unfortunately their own aircraft was so badly damaged by debris that they had to bale out over the Dutch coast. Bone was handed over to the German authorities almost immediately, but later received a letter of apology from the Dutch couple who found him.

Together with a Royal Life Saving Society Bronze Medallion; a Liverpool Business Houses Sports Association Medal (F.Bone Birkenhead Police 1934-5); photograph of recipient in uniform; a quantity of original documentation including copies of the original recommendations for the awards; congratulatory letters and telegrams; and the letter of apology from recipient's Dutch 'captors'.