Just watched a veteran of Bomber Command bring in his medals , an Air Force Cross and George Medal amongst his stars and medals. "beyond price" said the expert , "They are not for sale" said the gentleman. Quiet understated and worth seeing.
Quite, No.49 Sqn Hampden, AD856 Sgt J Flint Sgt A S Beningfield Sgt J D Fitch Sgt E C Atkinson Shot down while returning to base by an intruder flown by Ofw Wilhelm Beier, I/NJG2 and ditched in the North Sea off Cromer, Norfolk. All wounded. (Chorley) "Sgt Beningfield died of wounds received. Sgt Fitch Killed in action. Service Numbers ORB" AIR27/480 "Cromer, Norfolk. At 04:48 in the morning of the 6th July, 1941, the coastguard reported that an aeroplane had been seen to fall into the sea one mile east of Cromer. The weather was fine, with a light SW wind and a smooth sea. As the No. 1 motor lifeboat was being overhauled, four men put out in two crab boats, which could get away more quickly than the No. 2 lifeboat. Three airmen got ashore without help, but a fourth was missing. The two boats searched for him, but found nothing and returned at 07:00 am. Rewards: £3 12s and 10s for fuel used." (Source: Supplement to Annual Reports of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution 1939-46) Regards Ross
WW2 Aircrew ANTIQUES ROADSHOW On Sunday 8 November the second of The Antiques Roadshow’s from Lincoln Cathedral was transmitted. It featured Jimmy Flint talking to the Arms and Militaria Expert, Graham Lay. Jimmy was asked about the award of his George Medal for extreme bravery. He spoke of the rescue of his navigator from the aircraft which he landed safely on the water off Cromer. Jimmy was characteristically reticent about his bravery on the medals. Graham Lay said he would not put a value Shortly after crossing the Dutch coast, Sgt James Flint's Hampden was intercepted by night fighters, receiving some damage before eventually shaking their attackers off. The crew continued on to make a successful bombing attack before returning back across the North Sea. Just 50 miles from the English coast, cannon shells from two German Me110 intruders ripped into the Hampden, mortally wounding the W/Op, Sgt Fitch. Very cartridges were ignited inside the Hampden and on another attack the port engine was put out of action. Within sight of the English coast, the Germans eventually broke off their attack and turned tail. Jim Flint fought valiantly to keep his stricken aircraft airborne but was eventually forced to ditch AD856 just off the Norfolk coast near Cromer. The pilot managed to escape through the hatch above his seat, but soon realized the navigator had not followed. Re-entering the quickly submerging bomber, Jim found the navigator badly wounded on the aircraft floor. At considerable personal risk and with superhuman strength, he managed to pull the inert body from the wreck, before P-Peter slipped below the waves. Within 50yds of the shore, a soldier came to the airmen's help. http://50-61squadron.com/Documents/Issue%2054%20Dec%2009%20Amended%20for%20Web.pdf Sergeant JOHN DENNIS FITCH 944058, 49 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died age 24 on 06 July 1941 Son of William Albert and Daisy Dorothy Fitch; husband of Audrey Winifred Fitch, of Sheldon, Birmingham. Remembered with honour BIRMINGHAM (YARDLEY) CEMETERY Sergeant ANTHONY STEPHEN BENINGFIELD was rescued by Jimmy Flint but died shortly after 905356, 49 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died on 06 July 1941 Remembered with honour EASTBOURNE (OCKLYNGE) CEMETERY
The navigator was Beningfield and was pulled wounded from the aircraft by Flint. Fitch was the WOp/AG as was killed in the nightfighter attack. Ross
Anybody catch this last night had a guy with a collection of SAS related awarded medals with one group including a MM, all seemed to be Falklands related. BBC iPlayer - Antiques Roadshow: Series 33: Hampton Court Castle 2
Wtid45 Saw that particular program and was very impressed by the calibre of the man who displayed his collection of SAS memorabilia. What a pleasant change to the characters you get on Dickinson's Real Deal show who are selling their Grandfather's/Dad's/Uncle's medals because "they were laying in a drawer and not doing anything !" Ron
Anybody catch this last night had a guy with a collection of SAS related awarded medals with one group including a MM, all seemed to be Falklands related. BBC iPlayer - Antiques Roadshow: Series 33: Hampton Court Castle 2 Unfortunately I can't view this where I live.
