Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Lot 3197    SESSION 13 (2.30PM THURSDAY 25TH MARCH)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust. Groups

Estimate $1,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,100

GROUP OF SIX WITH MID: 1939-45 Star; Africa Star - clasp - North Africa 1942-43; Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45 with MID; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. 400778. F.H.Cashmore. All medals impressed. Some dirt on ribbons and some contact marks, otherwise very fine - good very fine.

MID: LG 19/10/1945, p5123; CAG 1/11/1945, p2300 to 400778 Flt Lt Francis Hamilton Cashmore.

Citation: Services rendered in the First Tactical Air Force.

(Note: This unit (No. 1 TAF) was formed by the RAAF to provide a mobile force of fighter and ground attack aircraft to support Allied naval and military units in the South West Pacific Area.)

Pilot Officer Francis Hamilton Cashmore (034727), clerk, born 09Nov1920 at Bacchus Marsh, Vic; Enl.08Nov1940 (400778) at Melbourne, Vic; 1 Initial Training School 08Nov1940 to 02Jan1941; 25 Elementary Flying Training School 04Apr-31May1941; No.29 Course at No.55 Operational Training Unit 09Dec1941 to 24Feb1942; to Pilot Officer 03Nov1942; invalided to Australia from Middle East 08Mar1943 after receiving shrapnel wounds to left hand and crash landing in Kittyhawk FL348 (see below); to Flying Officer 03May1943; 12 months to 31Dec1943 was Staff Instructor at 2 Operational Training Unit; acted as Flight Commander for 76Sqn and received excellent rating from the Sqn CO - tour started 31Mar1944 and finished 31Dec1944 - SWPA of operations; to T/Flt Lt 03Nov1944; Disch.01Jul1947 as T/Flight Lieutenant ex 76 Sqn; to Flt Lt 20Feb1951; while working as an Air Traffic Controller at D.C.A. Essendon Airport he was a member of Melbourne University Sqn and commenced a refresher Tiger Moth course at Royal Victorian Aero Club 26Feb1951 but suspended 12Jun1951 at own request; Trf to Reserves 22Sep1951. (The above outline featuring certain events is brief summary of Flt Lt Cashmore's career with the RAAF)

Report on wounding of Sgt Cashmore while on Middle East operations.
'Sgt Cashmore was a member of a formation of 10 aircraft which took off from Belandah on an armed recce of the road between Marble Arch and Nofilia. On the return journey, near Marble Arch, our formation was attacked from above and behind by eight plus ME 109's. Sgt. Cashmore was slightly wounded in the hand and his aircraft rendered Cat. II. when belly landing 1 mile South of Belandah No. I. L.G. (By Sqd. R.H.Gibbes S/L. DFC, Squadron Leader, Commanding No. 3 Squadron, RAAF.)'