Campaign Groups and Pairs x536
A well-documented Second War Coastal Command Beaufighter and Mosquito Navigator’s campaign group of four awarded to Warrant Officer, later Flight Lieutenant, H. E. Bussey, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He flew in a large number of operational sorties with 235 and 333 Squadrons, mostly over the Bay of Biscay and off the Norwegian Coast - frequently engaging Ju.88’s and enemy shipping
1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with Observer’s Brevet, nearly extremely fine (4)
£300-£400
Harold Edward Bussey was born in January 1911, and was employed as an Accountant in London prior to the war. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force as an A.C.2 in September 1941, and carried out his initial training at No. 1 Signals School and No. 6 A.O.S. Bussey advanced to Sergeant in November 1942, and carried out further training at No. 3 School of General Reconnaissance.
After a stint at No. 9 O.T.U., Bussey was posted as a Navigator for operational service with 235 Squadron (Beaufighters) at Leuchars in May 1943. He advanced to Flight Sergeant, and flew in a large number of Rover Patrols off the Norwegian Coast, including attacking a convoy in harbour, 24 July 1943. In September, flying with Warrant Officer Stiff as his pilot, he carried out two eventful Bay of Biscay Patrols - 22 September 1943, ‘Met Ju.88, escaped in cloud’ and 25 September 1943, ‘Met 8 Ju.88 - 2 Destroyed.’ (Log Book refers)
Bussey moved with the Squadron to St. Angelo, and carried out escorts in the North Atlantic from January 1944. The Squadron moved to Portreath in March, and Bussey carried out patrols in conjunction with D-Day. On 9 June, ‘A-A Patrol - Bay Met Ju.88 - Shot Down.’ (Ibid)
Bussey and his pilot were attached to 333 Squadron (Mosquitoes) at Leuchars at the end of June 1944. They flew in a number of anti-submarine patrols off Norway. Whilst carrying out one of the latter, 25 July 1944, a ‘Sub. & Flak Ship attacked.’ (Ibid)
Having completed his tour in August 1944, Bussey was commissioned the following month. He subsequently advanced to Flight Lieutenant and was posted to 279 Squadron. Bussey was discharged in January 1947, and resided at 9 Bethune Close, Stoke Newington, London.
Sold with the following contemporary related documents: Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (23 April 1942 - 22 October 1945); R.A.F. Airman’s Service and Pay Book; R.A.F. Service and Release Book (2); Identity Card for R.A.F. and
W.A.AF. Personnel (All Ranks), complete with photograph of recipient; a number of photographs from various stages of recipient’s service career, mostly annotated on the reverses; 17 wartime charts; and other ephemera.
537
Four: Flight Lieutenant J. W. Armstrong, Royal Air Force, who flew operations over Europe with 51 and 578 squadrons, including sorties over some of the most heavily defended targets in Germany, before being seconded to British Overseas Airways Corporation in November 1944. In a case of mistaken identity, in 1943, his wife was sent a telegram telling her that her husband was a prisoner of the Japanese
1939-45 Star, 1 clasp, Bomber Command; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with Air Council enclosure and medal ticket, in named card box of issue, addressed to F/L J. W. Armstrong, 13, Bryanstone Road, Bournemouth, Hants.’; the Bomber Command clasp in separate named box of issue, virtually mint state (4)
£500-£700
Joseph William Armstrong was born on 22 February 1912 in Halton-Lea-Gate, Carlisle and enlisted into the R.A.F. as an Airman, No. 1263196, on 23 August 1940. His first operations were as a wireless operator with 3 Squadron from August 1941. Flying Blackburn Botha seaplanes, he had completed 27 escorts and patrols by 4 November 1941. After a period of training and non operational flying, he joined 51 Squadron in August 1943. Flying in Halifaxes, his second flight with the squadron resulted in a crash landing, however he was back flying in days. Over the next few months, he took part in six sorties over Hanover, Mannheim, twice to Frankfurt (flak damage during one), Cannes and mine laying.
Moving to 578 Squadron in January 1944, he was immediately involved in two sorties over Berlin. During the first he notes ‘rocket fighter active’, holed by flak. The next ‘attacked by Ju88 over target, rear turret damaged and port no 5 tank holed by cannon fire’. Commissioned Pilot Officer on 12 February 1944, his flights continued with a number of sorties over French targets, before sorties to Frankfurt, Stuttgart and in June 1944, operations in support of the Allied invasion; on 30 June he notes ‘operations; Villers Bocage concentration of panzers’. Operations carry on in a similar way until September 1944, and having been promoted to Flying Officer he was sent to O.T.U. and from November 1944 he was seconded to service with British Overseas Airways Corporation (B.O.A.C.). Promoted Flight Lieutenant in February 1946, he continued flying with the latter until 1958. From 1945, his B.O.A.C. logbooks show he flew in Sunderland’s, Boeing 314’s, Liberator’s, Constellations, L49’s. From 1950 onwards, he only crewed Boeing 377’s .
In a strange twist to the story, in July 1943, Armstrong’s wife received a telegram telling her that her husband had been captured by the Japanese in Java (original telegram and notification with the group). A newspaper clipping also tells of his capture. However this was a bizarre case of mistaken identity! The actual prisoner was a no. 1326411 J. W. Armstrong of 84 Squadron.
Sold with the recipient’s three logbooks covering flights between 1941 and 1958, 51 Squadron plaque, telegram newspaper cutting and notification of P.O.W., 1944 Commission in O.H.M.S. tube, B.O.A.C. shoulder insignia and button, framed photograph of the recipient in R.A.F. uniform, wartime letters and loose photographs, some in flight kit, similar B.O.A.C., Civil aircraft radio operators licence, passport, R.A.F. navigation instrument, and other ephemera.
www.dnw.co.uk all lots are illustrated on our website and are subject to buyers’ premium at 24% (+VAT where applicable)
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212 |
Page 213 |
Page 214 |
Page 215 |
Page 216 |
Page 217 |
Page 218 |
Page 219 |
Page 220 |
Page 221 |
Page 222 |
Page 223 |
Page 224 |
Page 225 |
Page 226 |
Page 227 |
Page 228 |
Page 229 |
Page 230 |
Page 231 |
Page 232 |
Page 233 |
Page 234 |
Page 235 |
Page 236 |
Page 237 |
Page 238 |
Page 239 |
Page 240 |
Page 241 |
Page 242 |
Page 243 |
Page 244 |
Page 245 |
Page 246 |
Page 247 |
Page 248 |
Page 249 |
Page 250 |
Page 251 |
Page 252 |
Page 253 |
Page 254 |
Page 255 |
Page 256 |
Page 257 |
Page 258 |
Page 259 |
Page 260 |
Page 261 |
Page 262 |
Page 263 |
Page 264 |
Page 265 |
Page 266 |
Page 267 |
Page 268 |
Page 269 |
Page 270 |
Page 271 |
Page 272 |
Page 273 |
Page 274 |
Page 275 |
Page 276 |
Page 277 |
Page 278 |
Page 279 |
Page 280 |
Page 281 |
Page 282 |
Page 283 |
Page 284 |
Page 285 |
Page 286 |
Page 287 |
Page 288 |
Page 289 |
Page 290 |
Page 291 |
Page 292 |
Page 293 |
Page 294 |
Page 295 |
Page 296 |
Page 297 |
Page 298 |
Page 299 |
Page 300 |
Page 301 |
Page 302 |
Page 303 |
Page 304 |
Page 305 |
Page 306 |
Page 307 |
Page 308 |
Page 309 |
Page 310 |
Page 311 |
Page 312 |
Page 313 |
Page 314 |
Page 315 |
Page 316 |
Page 317 |
Page 318 |
Page 319 |
Page 320 |
Page 321 |
Page 322 |
Page 323 |
Page 324 |
Page 325 |
Page 326 |
Page 327 |
Page 328 |
Page 329 |
Page 330 |
Page 331 |
Page 332 |
Page 333 |
Page 334 |
Page 335 |
Page 336 |
Page 337 |
Page 338 |
Page 339 |
Page 340 |
Page 341 |
Page 342 |
Page 343 |
Page 344 |
Page 345 |
Page 346 |
Page 347 |
Page 348 |
Page 349 |
Page 350 |
Page 351 |
Page 352 |
Page 353 |
Page 354 |
Page 355 |
Page 356 |
Page 357 |
Page 358 |
Page 359 |
Page 360 |
Page 361 |
Page 362 |
Page 363 |
Page 364 |
Page 365 |
Page 366 |
Page 367 |
Page 368 |
Page 369 |
Page 370 |
Page 371 |
Page 372 |
Page 373 |
Page 374 |
Page 375 |
Page 376 |
Page 377 |
Page 378 |
Page 379 |
Page 380 |
Page 381 |
Page 382 |
Page 383 |
Page 384 |
Page 385 |
Page 386 |
Page 387 |
Page 388 |
Page 389
