Five: Air Gunner R. R. Evert, South African Air Force

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War and Africa Service Medals, all officially named (328995 R. R. Evert), mounted court style for wear, nearly extremely fine (5) £160-200

Ronald Richard Evert was born in Windhoek, South West Africa on 20 July 1922. A clerk by occupation, he enlisted into the 2nd Natal Mounted Regiment on 7 May 1940. He served in East Africa with the 1st Royal natal Carbineers but was discharged on 9 December 1941 as medically unfit due to malaria. He re-enlisted into the South African Air Force on 21 March 1942 and married Joan Marguerite van der Spuy on 4 April 1942. Evert received authority to wear the S.A.A.F. Air-Gunners badge on 21 January 1943. In October 1943 he was posted to No.24 Squadron S.A.A.F. as an Air Gunner flying in B-26 Marauders medium bombers. On 21 February 1944, six Marauders led by Captain A. F. Shuttleworth were sent to attack a ship in Suda Bay, Crete. His aircraft, piloted by Lieutenant A. M. Shepherd was forced to turn back due to severe icing of the aircraft. Shortly afterwards the plane was seen burning in the sea. The crew of seven including Evert, aged 21 years, were killed. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Egypt. Sold with copied service papers; amongst which is the application for campaign medals from his young wife writing, ‘... I his widow should like to have the ribbons to keep as a membrance of my late husband’.