WORLD ORDERS AND DECORATIONS
Having advanced to Flying Officer, Bennie transferred to 6 Squadron (Vampires) in September 1968. He was posted as Flight Lieutenant to 5 Squadron (Canberras) in February 1972, and was responsible for Ground Training/Survival from May 1973 as well as carrying out his flying duties. He flew operationally between 1974-1976, transferring back to 4 Squadron in February 1975. Bennie served as a Flight Commander from May 1975, and Rhodesian Air Force - Air Strike Log records several sorties in which he was involved, including as pilot of one of seven aircraft, 14 May 1976:
‘north west of Mt. Darwin. 38 x 20mm cannon shells, 8 frantan, 140 x 37mm SNEB rockets, 300 x 7.62mm MAG. Six terr. killed, one captured. G-Car 5773 was hit twice by ground fire. Provost 3163 was also hit. Captain Len Pitch wounded, but died subsequent to his casevac.’
Four days later, still flying a Reims Cessna Lynx, Bennie flew solo over the same position and killed a terrorist. Later the same day he flew with three over aircraft south east of Rushinga, and killed a further two terrorists. Bennie flew in a number of operations throughout June 1976, and was involved in killing at least 17 terrorists.
Bennie was promoted Squadron Leader, and was engaged in training the British South Africa Police Air Wing for air reconnaissance in 1977. The Commissioner of Police wrote to Air Marshal Mussell as follows:
‘As you know, members of the Air Wing have been training in air reconnaissance for the past six months under a team commanded by Wing Commander Petter-Bowyer.
Some 80 personnel have completed training and we now have a viable reconnaissance unit within our Air Wing organisation. These operations have exceeded all expectations, some 50 terrorists having been eliminated as a direct result of air reconnaissance.
My staff and our Air Wing crews cannot speak too highly of the enthusiasm with which Wing Commander Petter-Bowyer and his team went about their task and their untiring efforts were most appreciated.
Please convey my sincere thanks and appreciation to Wing Commander Petter-Bowyer and those other Air Force members for a job well done.’
The above was appended by Mussell to Bennie, ‘I congratulate you on your performance, and thank you for your efforts on behalf of this Force.’
Bennie commanded 4 Squadron from August 1978 - June 1979. He retired as Wing Commander 10 December 1979, having flown Vampire, Provost, Canberra, Hunter, Trojan and Cessna aircraft during the course of his career. He was also a member of the Combined Services Shooting Team.
1 of only 19 Defence Cross’s for Distinguished Service awarded, 12 of which were awarded to the Air Force.
Sold with the following original items and documents: three Pilots Flying Log Books (10 October 1964 - 28 February 1968, 23 September 1968 - 27 February 1973 and 1 March 1973 - 28 August 1979), 1st R.A.F. issue, others Royal Rhodesian Air Force issue, the 2nd has had several unused pages at the back coloured in by a child; Rhodesian Air Force Pilot’s Certificate of Competence; signed Government House enclosure for the award of the D.C.D., dated 9 October 1919; letter of congratulation from Air Vice-Marshal C. W. Dams, O.L.M. on the occasion of the recipient’s award of the D.C.D., dated 8 November 1979; letter of congratulation from Group Captain H. Slatter on the occasion of recipient’s promotion as Officer Commanding Air Det Grapple, dated 2 July 1979; letter of appreciation from Air Marshal F. W. Mussell, O.L.M., dated 4 October 1977; and copied research including photographic images of recipient in uniform.
530
Eight: Commandant I. J. J. Moore, Rhodesian Defence Forces, late Royal Air Force
Rhodesia, DEFENCE FORCES’MEDAL FORMERITORIOUS SERVICE (558185X A/Snr. Commdt. I. J. J. Moore); 1939-45 STAR; ITALY STAR; FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS 1939-45; Rhodesia, GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL (Asst Comdt I. J. J. Moore); ZIMBABWE INDEPENDENCE MEDAL 1980 (06003) mounted in this order, together with European Confederation Cross; France, Veteran’s Medal; Belgium, Veteran’s Cross, last three all privately engraved to the recipient, generally very fine or better (11)
£300-400
Ivor Moore was ‘born at Edinburgh Castle soon after the end of WWI. His father was a decorated war hero and the young Ivor grew up in military surroundings.
He was still a youth at the outbreak of WWII and as soon as he was able he joined the RAF. He qualified as a pilot and flew spitfires in operations over Europe and Italy. He retained his RAF commission after the war being posted to a number of European air stations serving British interests during a distinguished flying career.
With a growing young family he immigrated to Rhodesia. He became a staunch Rhodesian and his service with their military forces was rewarded with the award of the Meritorious Service Medal. After independence in 1980 he immigrated to South Africa.
He was an active member of the MOTHS for many years and with a life long military connection it is not surprising that Ivor developed an interest in military medals and badges. His interest in European awards was understandably influenced by his service in the RAF, while his collector friends who have been privileged to visit his study at his Robertson home in the winelands, will bear testimony to his keen interest in the Boer War.
Sadly, in recent years his health diminished. We were privileged to have met him.’ (Obituary refers)
Moore served as Lieutenant-Colonel, Officer Commanding of the Regional Protection Force Matabeleland, and was awarded the Defence Forces’ Medal for Meritorious Service 7 December 1979. He advanced to the rank of Commandant, Guard Force, the following year.
Sold with the following related documents: Rhodesian Commission appointing recipient as an Assistant Commandant, dated 11 December 1978; four named and dated veteran society certificates, all related to the last three commemorative awards; Masonic Certificate for the Grand Lodge of Rhodesia, Matabeleland, Bulawayo, dated 7 February 1952; copied research, including several photographic images of recipient from various stages of his service career, and a typed obituary.
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