Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War pathfinder’s D.F.C. awarded to Pilot Officer R. J. Child, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was decorated for his services as a Flight Engineer in Halifaxes of No. 35 Squadron, prior to being killed in action in a raid on Stettin in January 1944

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1944’ and privately engraved, ‘P./O. R. J. Child, Stettin, Jan. 5th’, in its Royal Mint case of issue, together with a wartime newspaper cutting announcing the award of his D.F.C., extremely fine £800-1000

D.F.C. London Gazette 8 May 1945:

‘This officer, as Flight Engineer, has completed numerous operations against the enemy, in the course of which he has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty.’

Royston James Child, who was from Thornton Heath, Surrey, was killed in action on the night of 5-6 January 1944, when his Halifax of No. 35 Squadron was severely damaged by a night fighter over Stettin - the starboard wing was set on fire and the aircraft ripped apart by the explosion. Four members of crew were thrown clear and made successful parachute descents, including his skipper, Squadron Leader T. W. A. Hutton. The four who died, including Child who was 20 years of age, were buried in Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery, Poland.