A Collection of Awards to the Royal Air Force Between the Wars (1919-1939), formed by Group Captain J E Barker
Having transferred to the Royal Air Force as Lieutenant in April 1918, O’Sullivan was posted to the Electrical and Wireless School, Winchester, in September 1920. He was posted overseas in May the following year for service with 45 Squadron, Almaza, Egypt. O’Sullivan moved with the Squadron to Hinaidi, Iraq, in May 1922. The Squadron History The Flying Camels by Wing Commander C. G. Jefford gives O’Sullivan as having retrained and operating as a Vernon pilot during operations:
‘Meanwhile the Turkish forces which had been infiltrating across the border since the summer were growing stronger and intelligence reports indicated that attacks were imminent on Koi Sanjak, Kirkuk and Erbil. It was decided to reinforce the northern sector on January 24th and then to take the offensive. A total of thirty-nine aeroplanes was accordingly deployed to Mosul and Kirkuk in addition to the twelve which were already in situ. This force included most of the Vernon fleet, its activities being co-ordinated by Sqn Ldr Francis Don on attachment from HQ Iraq. No. 45 Sqn’s commitment was eight aircraft which were based at Mosul. Fg Off Garth O’Sullivan in J6870 was forced to land at Shergat en route but a replacement was provided the following day. In all, the squadron’s detachment numbered nineteen officers and sixty-six airmen, all of whom had been airlifted to Mosul.
Almost as soon as they arrived the newly deployed units began to undertake offensive air action against both the Turks in the north and the dissident Sheikh Mahmud in the Sulaimaniyah district. No. 45 Sqn’s Vernons flew bombing missions on February 3rd and 5th and again on March 7th and 9th, attacking several villages between Sargali and Sitak; it is know that Arthur Harris participated in the first two raids and that Bob Saundby flew on all four. For the most part, however, the Vernons were employed on casualty evacuation and resupply missions in support of the designated bomber squadrons and the troops of KOICOL as they moved north through the mountains.’
O’Sullivan was posted to 6 Squadron (Bristol F.2b’s), Hinaidi, 27 March 1923. The Squadron was employed with patrol duties and further action in Northern Iraq against Turkish backed rebels. He returned to the UK in August 1923, and was promoted Flight Lieutenant in July 1925. O’Sullivan held four Coastal Area postings prior to his return to India in 1931. He returned to operational flying, this time on the North West Frontier, with 39 Squadron (Wapitis and Harts), Risalpur, 16 October 1931. The Squadron’s Operations Record Book gives O’Sullivan as flying a number of bombing sorties throughout 1931-32. He transferred to No. 2 (Indian Wing) Station, Risalpur, in March 1934.
The unrest caused by the Faqir of Alingar brought a return to operational flying for O’Sullivan, and he was posted to 27 Squadron (Wapitis) in September 1935. Having operated out of Kohat, he was attached to Probyn’s Horse at Lachi Camp in February of the following year. O’Sullivan advanced to Squadron Leader in October 1936, and was posted to the Air Armament School, Eastchurch, in February 1937.
O’Sullivan served during the Second War, and advanced to Temporary Group Captain in December 1941. He retired 9 November 1945, and emigrated to Australia. O’Sullivan died in Perth, Western Australia, in 1968.
812
The rare immediate ‘Iraq’ M.S.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant, later Wing Commander, S. W. Blight, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force
GENERAL SERVICE 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (401649. Sjt. S. W. Blight. R.A.F.); DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS 1939-45, privately named ‘W/Cdr. S. W. Blight R.A.F.’; JUBILEE 1935, privately named ‘S. W. Blight R.A.F.’; ROYAL AIR FORCEMERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL, G.V.R. (401649 Sjt. S. W. Blight. R.A.F.); ROYAL AIR FORCE L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (401649 F/Sgt. S. W. Blight. R.A.F.) mounted for wear, nearly very fine (6)
£700-900
Provenance: J. Tamplin Collection, DNW, September 2008. M.S.M. London Gazette 10 October 1922:
‘For distinguished services rendered during active service operations in Iraq during 1920-21.’ 1 of 12 M.S.M.’s awarded to the R.A.F. over a two year period for Iraq.
Samuel Wyatt Blight was born at Brownston Street, Modbury, Devon, in June 1896. He enlisted as a Gunner in the Devon Royal Garrison Artillery (T.F.) in September 1914. Blight transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an Air Mechanic 2nd Class in July 1916, and advanced to Acting Corporal by January 1918. He transferred to Royal Air Force as Corporal Mechanic in April 1918. Having advanced to Sergeant, he served in the Iraq Command from 9 March 1920 - 3 March 1922.
Blight served with the R.A.F. in Egypt, March 1922 - April 1923, during which period he remustered from Mechanic to Fitter Aero. He was posted to the Constantinople Wing to join the British forces in Turkey who had assembled in October 1922 as a result of the Chanak Crisis. Blight was promoted Flight Sergeant in April 1924, and returned to the UK at the end of the year. He was awarded the L. S. & G.C. in September 1932, and advanced to Warrant Officer in May 1934.
Subsequent postings for Blight included to the Marine Experimental Establishment at Felixstowe, and with 26 Squadron (Army Co- operation) Squadron, Catterick. He was commissioned Flying Officer in October 1936, and posted for engineering duties to R.A.F. Wyton the following month. He advanced to Flight Lieutenant in October 1939, and to Temporary Wing Commander in October 1942. Blight served the majority of the Second War with the Directorate of Accident and Disposal, before he retired due to poor health in December 1944. He died at The Rest, Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon, in December 1952.
www.dnw.co.uk
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