The extremely well-documented and scarce Helicopter Winchman’s ‘Search and Rescue’ 1969 A.F.C., 1957 A.F.M. group of six awarded to Master Engineer P. E. J. ‘Chalky’ White, 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force, for his gallant rescue of a watchman on a drilling barge, in the midst of a violent storm, off Dubai Jetty, Persian Gulf, 25 January 1969. In a career of over 28 years, White amassed thousands of flying hours in at least 37 different aircraft

Air Force Cross, E.II.R., reverse officially dated ‘1969’, and reverse additionally engraved ‘GO. 579681 M. Eng. P. E. J. White R.A.F.’; Air Force Medal, E.II.R. (579681. F. Sgt. P. E. J. White. R.A.F.); War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Near East (579681 F. Sgt. P. E. J. White. R.A.F.); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (60579681 M. Eng. P. E. J. White RAF); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (579681 F. Sgt. P. E. J. White. R.A.F.) mounted for wear, housed in a Worcestershire Medal Service Ltd leather case, generally very fine (lot) £6,000-£8,000

A.F.C. London Gazette 10 June 1969:
‘On 25th January 1969, Master Engineer White was briefed as winchman of the 78 Squadron Duty Search and Rescue helicopter crew, to attempt the rescue of a watchman from a drilling barge, with a 40 foot gantry on the stern, in difficulties half a mile off Dubai Jetty. A number of attempts at rescue had been made by various vessels from Dubai but, due to the violent sea state, they had all proved abortive. With a visibility of five nautical miles, the vessel was quickly located and found to be dragging its anchor in breakers approximately 300 yards from a lee shore. The generally rough sea, (sea state five) and the dragging effect of the one bow anchor caused the 80 foot barge to corkscrew violently and the gantry to gyrate furiously. The vertical movement of the bow was estimated to be twenty feet. With the barge lying head into wind, which at this time was gusting between 20 and 30 knots, the pilot found that, in the normal head-into-wind hover, the tail rotor of the Wessex helicopter was within feet of the top of the gyrating gantry and the first attempt was abandoned. Master Engineer White suggested that if the helicopter could be hovered 45 degrees out of wind this would keep the tail rotor away from the gantry and he would be willing to attempt a rescue. This was done and Master Engineer White started to winch down to the barge. However, due to lack of visual reference, the pilot was unable to maintain a steady hover and, although the winchman made contact with the barge, the rescue attempt had to be discontinued and Master Engineer White was winched back into the aircraft. Master Engineer White indicated that he would risk a further attempt at rescue, and the helicopter was brought into position at a much lower hover. Master Engineer White managed to obtain a foothold on the pitching deck and within a minute the survivor was secured and winched aboard the Wessex. During both winching operations, Master Engineer White was in grave danger of being dashed against the side or superstructure of the barge and, throughout the entire incident, he acted in the best tradition of the Service. He displayed complete disregard of personal safety and showed tenacity and courage well beyond the call of duty. The fact that both he and the remainder of the crew are only part-time Search and Rescue operators, with minimal training in the role, does much to emphasise his courage.’

1 of 2 A.F.C’s awarded for the incident, as well as a Queen’s Commendation For Valuable Service In The Air.

A.F.M. London Gazette 13 June 1957.
The original recommendation states: ‘Flight Sergeant White has served with 511 Squadron, Royal Air Force Station, Lyneham, since March, 1952, as a flight engineer. For the last two years he has held an above average Transport Command category and at all times his work, keenness and efficiency have been an inspiration to all. On 6th October, 1956, he was flight engineer on a Hastings aircraft detailed for a flight from Lyneham to Luqa. As the aircraft crossed the English coast, the airspeed indicator suddenly failed to register. Flight Sergeant White investigated the failure and ascertained that no pressure was entering the instruments. By experimenting with lengths of alloy tubing, he produced a reading on the air speed indicator. Then, with the external rudder lock, webbing tape and tubing from the pressure head lines, he constructed a substitute pressure head and mounted it in the air-stream, through the starboard static vent access panel. The airspeed obtained appeared accurate with the power set and the aircraft was stalled to verify this. The result was exceedingly accurate. Flight Sergeant White’s remarkable ingenuity and knowledge of the aircraft resulted in the flight being continued to a safe landing at Luqa. Flight Sergeant White is an enthusiastic and thoroughly capable Air Engineer, who continues to perform outstanding work with his Squadron both in the air and on the ground. His resourcefulness on the flight to Malta is but one example of what could be expected of this aircrew Non-Commissioned Officer when face to face with danger or difficulty. His technical knowledge, combined with determination and natural ability, has done much to ensure aircraft serviceability and airborne efficiency. Flight Sergeant White’s devotion to duty and invaluable contribution to his Squadron and the Long Range Force are worthy of recognition.’

Peter Ernest John ‘Chalky’ White joined the Royal Air Force as an Apprentice Airframe Fitter at No. 1 School of Technical Training, Halton in August 1943. He joined the 47th Entry, and passed out in August 1946. White was posted for pilot training to No. 4 F.T.S., Heany, Southern Rhodesia in 1949, however, he was deemed unsuitable for flying and posted to No. 4 Technical Training School, St. Athan in September the following year. White remustered as a Flight Engineer in April 1951 and was posted for further training to No. 242 O.T.U., Dishforth.

White served with 511 Squadron (Handley Page Hastings) at Lyneham, March 1952 - May 1957 (A.F.M.). He was posted to 216 Squadron (Comets) at Lyneham, and then served with 99 Squadron (Britannias) also based at Lyneham, from 1959. The latter was a Conversion Flight, and White served with them until February 1968. During his time with 99 Squadron he qualified as a Master Engineer and had amassed a total of over 8,000 flying hours world-wide. White retrained as a Helicopter Crewman at R.A.F. Odiham in March 1968, and was then posted to 78 Squadron (Wessex Helicopters) at Sharjah, Persian Gulf in June 1968.

78 Squadron were employed as a Search and Rescue unit, and it was whilst serving with them as a Winchman that White distinguished himself during the rescue of a watchman from a drilling barge off the Dubai Jetty, 25 January 1969 (A.F.C.) After a nine month tour, White returned to R.A.F. Odiham where he was to become an Instructor with the Helicopter Operational Training Flight in September 1970. He was to be involved in compiling the technical training syllabus for both pilots and crew of Puma helicopters. White had to take enforced retirement in August 1973, by which time he had completed over 28 years service and flown in at least 37 different types of aircraft. Master Engineer White died in January 1987.

Sold with the following archive:
i) No. 6B (warm weather) Non-Ceremonial Dress Issue (complete with brevet and ribands); R.A.F. issue white soft leather, Flying Gloves; American type O/S/FAP-2 Sheepskin Summer Flying Gloves; Warrant Officer Copper topped hard wood, Swagger Stick; Gold embroidered 115 Squadron badge (Q.C.) on black felt; 115 Squadron Blazer Badge (King’s Crown); Flight Engineer half-wing brevet; United Nations Badge; 18 Squadron Flying Suit Patch; Master Engineer Arm Badges (Best Blue Issue); Master Aircrew Mess Dress Badge; Master Aircrew Cuff Brassard; Warrant Officer Peak Cap Badge; Warrant Officer Beret Badge; Brass Other Ranks Cap Badge; Pipe Band Brass Badge, worn by recipient at R.A.F. Halton; Apprentice Badge 47 Entry; Riband Bar; Identity Discs; and Miscellaneous Buttons
ii) The recipient’s Warrant, dated 2 July 1962
iii) 4 Royal Air Force Log Books (October 1949 - August 1973) one of which is a Pilot’s Flying Log Book, another an Aircrew and the remaining two are privately bound in leather and embossed with recipient’s name in gold lettering
iv) R.A.F. Apprenticeship Certificate, issued by R.A.F. Halton, and named to recipient
v) The recipient’s Certificate of Service
vi) A number of course notebooks; a number of certificates relating to aircraft construction from various companies - including Bristol Siddeley, British Aircraft Corporation, De Havilland and Rolls Royce; a number of Education Certificates; and various investiture photographs, service photographs, correspondence and other ephemera.