Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Assorted original documentation appertaining to decorated aircrew of the 1939-45 War, comprising:

Flight Lieutenant L. R. Cook, D.F.M., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve: five wartime photographs, including two fine studio portraits, his National Health and Pensions Insurance Card, invitations to a dance at R.A.F. Waddington, dated 14 June 1946, and to an Aircrew Association (London Branch) dinner, dated 19 November 1981, and a wartime envelope addressed to him at R.A.F. Bottesford, in good overall condition

Flight Sergeant B. G. Kemp, D.F.M., Royal Air Force: his R.A.F. Identity Card (All Ranks), dated at Upwood on 27 June 1940, with portrait photograph and station stamps, in good overall condition

Flight Lieutenant R. Stewner, D.F.M., Royal Canadian Air Force: his R.C.A.F. Service and Pay Book, an Identity Certificate for Spain, issued by the Colonial Secretary’s Office at Gibraltar in 1942, with portrait photograph and official stamps, his Department of National Defence (Air Force) entitlement slip for wearing the War Service Badge, dated 2 April 1945, and an electoral certificate, dated 2 April 1945, in good overall condition (Lot) £80-120

Leonard Reginald “Len” Cook was decorated for his services as an Air Bomber in Lancasters of No. 50 Squadron, the recommendation stating:

‘This airman has completed a very successful tour of operational duty during which he has attacked many of the enemy’s most important targets in Germany and Italy. On the night of 20-21 June 1943, during a sortie against Friedrichshafen, his aircraft was attacked by three Ju. 88s during the bombing run. Nevertheless, Flight Sergeant Cook continued calmly to guide his pilot to the target. In the face of the enemy, this airman has always performed his allotted task with cool confidence and a high degree of skill.’

Cook, who also participated in the famous Peenemunde raid on 17 August 1943, in Pilot Officer J. H. Mason’s aircraft, was later commissioned in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. His D.F.M. was announced in the London Gazette of 7 December 1943.

Bernard George Kemp was decorated for his services in Sunderlands of No. 230 Squadron, the recommendation stating:

‘This airman is first Wireless Operator / Air Gunner on a Sunderland aircraft. His work has been of outstanding quality and has involved nearly 1,000 hours operational flying. He took part with distinction in all the evacuation operations off Yugoslavia, Greece and Crete. At one time, his wireless set was the only link between Air Headquarters, Crete, and the British forces in Southern Greece. His work has been of a standard which is seldom attained.’

His award was announced in the London Gazette of 7 July 1942 and by the following year he was back on operations with No. 53 Squadron. Sadly, however, his Liberator failed to return from an operation on 18 July 1943. The son of George and Isabel Kemp of Catford, London, he was just 22 years of age, and has no known grave.

Robert Stewner was decorated for his services in Wellingtons of No. 40 Squadron, the recommendation stating:

‘This N.C.O. joined No. 40 Squadron on 29 April 1942, and after carrying out four operational sorties against the enemy as a 2nd Pilot, was promoted to the captaincy of a crew early in July. He has since carried out 14 further operations as Captain of Aircraft. He is a pilot of outstanding ability and his operations have been characterised by a display of courage and daring. For example, on the night of 29 July 1942, when detailed to attack shipping at Tobruk, intense and accurate A.A. fire was encountered, shells bursting at the same height of the aircraft. Searchlights were effective but Flight Sergeant Stewner took violent evasive action and successfully bombed the target. On numerous occasions, despite intense enemy opposition, he has continued with his task regardless of danger and no thought other than the successful bombing of the target allotted him. This N.C.O. has at all times displayed devotion to duty of the highest order and has set an example to the remainder of the Squadron which has had an outstanding effect on all personnel.’

Described in one confidential report as a good officer ‘but rather young and wild’, the gallant Stewner returned to operations in Liberators of No. 355 Squadron in July 1944, and raised his tally of sorties to 44. The award of his D.F.M. was announced in the London Gazette of 4 December 1942; sold with extensive copied service record.