A Second War 1945 ‘instructors’ A.F.C. and K.C.V.S.A. group of six awarded to Flight Lieutenant, late Warrant Officer, F. J. Lewis, Royal Air Force, who flew in at least 49 operational sorties - predominantly in Wellingtons with 108 Squadron over the Middle East, having already flown in Blenheims with 110 (Hyderabad) Squadron during the Battle of France in May 1940. He served with the Takoradi Ferry Flight on the Gold Coast, and subsequently joined the Test Flight based there. After the war Lewis was employed as a pilot by the British European Airways Corporation for 25 years, and added to his already large list of aircraft flown. At the point of retirement he had amassed some 17,533 flying hours over his entire military and civil aviation career

Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1945’ in Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, generally very fine or better (6) £1,400-£1,800

A.F.C. London Gazette 3 April 1945.

King’s Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air London Gazette 1 January 1942.

Frank James Lewis was born in April 1916. He joined the Royal Air Force as an L.A.C. in October 1935, and carried out his initial pilot training at Reid & Sigrist Ltd, R.A.F. Civil Training College, Desford, Leicester two years later. Lewis was subsequently posted to No. 5 F.T.S., Sealand, before being posted as a pilot to 101 Squadron (Blenheims) at Bicester in December 1938. Lewis was posted to 110 (Hyderabad) Squadron (Blenheims) at Wattisham in October 1939, and he took part in at least 3 operational sorties with the Squadron during the Battle of France in May 1940 - including, 24 May 1940 ‘Operations Against German Mechanised Columns On Calais - St. Inglevert Road. 2- 250 & 12 40lb Bombs Dropped. Hit Twice By Light A.A. Fire’ (Log Book refers).

Lewis was posted to No. 4 Ferry Pool, Cardiff in June 1940. At the end of August Lewis was posted overseas for service with the Takoradi Ferry Flight on the Gold Coast of Africa. Whilst stationed with the latter he flew a variety of aircraft, including: Blenheims, Hurricanes, Lockheeds, Tomahawks and Junkers 52s! Lewis served with the Test Flight at Takoradi, January - October 1941, and a report was rendered to H.Q.M.E. when the following occurred to a Glenn Martin aircraft he was testing, 27 April 1941, ‘Initial Air Test. Port Under-Cart Collapsed After Landing.’ (Log Book refers).

Lewis advanced to Warrant Officer, and was posted for operational flying with 70 Squadron (Wellingtons) at Kabrit in November 1941. He flew on one operational sortie with the Squadron to Derna, 16 November 1941, prior to being posted to No. 70 O.T.U. at Nakuru, Kenya the following month. Lewis returned to the Middle East with 223 Squadron in February 1942. Flying Marylands and Baltimores, Lewis was ‘Drogue Towing. Both Engines Failed. Landed On Belly’, 9 April 1942 (Ibid)

After a period with No. 2 M.E.T.S., Lewis returned to operational flying with 108 Squadron (Wellingtons) from Kabrit in June 1942. He flew in at least 44 operational sorties with the Squadron between June - November 1942, including: 12/13 July 1942 ‘Operations - Tobruk. Dock Installations Bombed 4 x 500lbs G.P. Moderate Flak. Attack By Ju.88’; 19/20 September 1942, ‘Operations - Tobruk Again. 5 x 500lbs G.P. Dropped Near Jetties. Flak Still Hot. A/C Holed Slightly’; 9/10 October 1942, ‘Operations - Fuka Drome. 12 x 250lbs G.P. & 2 S.B.C. 40lbs F. Dropped On Aircraft & A.A. Aircraft Damaged By Enemy Fighter - No Injuries’; 22/23 October 1942, ‘Operations -Western Desert 13 x 250lbs G.P. 2 S.B.C. 40lbs. Dropped on Alg. 20. Rear Gunner Claims He Got A Me. 109. Says He Saw Pilot Bale Out’ (Ibid)

Lewis’s conduct was praised in No. 205 Group Letter, 11 November 1942: ‘525025 W/O Lewis F. J. of 108 Squadron, On 15th October 1942, while preparing for a bombing run over the Tobruk area, the port engine failed. The captain showed a high standard of skill and airmanship in difficulty, and successfully effected a belly landing at base. His excellent flying undoubtedly resulted in the return of aircraft and crew.’

Lewis was posted to 37 Squadron (Wellingtons) at the end of November 1942, and carried out one further operational sortie on 3/4 December 1942. He returned to the UK, and was posted as an instructor on Whitleys to No. 81 O.T.U. at Sleap in March 1943. Lewis was commissioned Pilot Officer (on probation) in April 1943, and advanced to Flying Officer (on probation) in October 1943. Subsequent postings included as Flight Lieutenant and Chief Instructor at No. 3 F.I.S., and carrying the Junior Commanders Course at R.A.F. Cranwell. He was demobilised in October 1945, and joined the British European Airways Corporation as a pilot. He retired after 25 years service with the company, 25 September 1971, having carried out 17,533 flying hours over his entire military and civil career.

Sold with the following related items and documents: King’s Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air Certificate, dated 1 January 1942, this framed and glazed with R.A.F. ‘Wings’; named Buckingham Palace enclosure for the D.F.C., this framed and glazed; 3 R.A.F. Pilot’s Flying Log Books (7 December 1937 - 19 October 1945) the majority of operations additionally annotated with extra details; 4 Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation Personal Flying Log Books, Aircraft Operating Crew (13 October 1949 - 17 September 1971); small portrait photograph of recipient in B.E.A.C. uniform and a damaged charcoal sketch of recipient.