Other Properties - Australian Groups

Lot 4086    SESSION 10 (9.30AM FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER)    Other Properties - Australian Groups

Estimate $600
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,100

GROUP OF SIX: 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Burma Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. 413096 R.K.Pilling. All medals impressed. Display mounted on cardboard sheet together with an embroidered RAAF pilot's wings, a gilt and enamel sweetheart brooch in the form of pilot's wings and encased in plastic with top suspension, image of recipient and printed service details, contact marks, otherwise very fine - extremely fine.

During pilot training with 4 EFTS at Randwick Racecourse on 23Jan1942 while flying a Tiger Moth A17-144, LAC R.K.Pilling made a forced landing. The airscrew stopped on loop; trainee advised to restart but was unsuccessful so made a forced landing approach. He undershot by 2 feet and undercarriages struck top of inner boundary railing; aircraft overturned and top mainplanes, undercarriage and airscrew damaged as the result of poor technique due to inexperience.

Also, while piloting a Hurricane Aircraft No. KX.174 he had an accident at RAF Station, Ranchi, India on 5Feb1945 in that he failed to ensure that his taxying path was clear before commencing to taxy his aircraft. He was found negligent and his punishment was that WOFF Pilling take rank and precedence in the Air Force as if his appointment to the rank of WOFF bore the date 7/11/45.

Ronald Keith Pilling, rent collecting and general office work and formerly a student at The Scots College, Sydney, age 18, born at Marrickville, Sydney, NSW; Enl.15Aug1941 at No.2 Recruiting Centre, Sydney as AC2, with previous experience as Cpl with College Cadet Corps; to LAC 08Nov1941; to Sgt 24Jun1942; Emb.24Aug1942; to Flt/Sgt 07Aug1943; applied for emergency commission on 08Jun1944; an assessment of his service with 258 Sqn was that he not be commissioned because - 'This N.C.O. has been with the Squadron a very short time. He is entirely devoid of a sense of responsibility and leadership. Definitely not suitable for commissioning.'; to WOFF 07Aug1944; WOFF R.K.Pilling served in various units and was a fighter pilot in Hurricanes and later Thunderbolts with 184 Sqn based in England and 258 Sqn in Burma and India. He logged 450 flying hours.; RTA and Disemb.28Oct1945; Disch.19Dec1945.

With copy of large Service File.