Orders, Decorations and Medals

A good Flying C.G.M. group of five awarded to Flight Sergeant H. A. Donaldson, Royal Air Force, No. 199 Squadron
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying), G.VI.R. (1215802 F/Sgt., R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals, together with three photographs and the recipient’s ‘Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book’, the first on its original investiture pin, extremely fine (5)

C.G.M. London Gazette 31 March, 1944: “This airman was the wireless operator (air) of an aircraft detailed for an attack on a target in March, 1944. Soon after crossing the enemy coast, the aircraft was hit by fire from the ground defences. Flight Sergeant Donaldson was hit in the leg by fragments of shrapnel which lodged against the bone, causing a most painful wound. Despite this, he acted with great promptitude in assisting to extinguish a fire which had commenced in the aircraft. He afterwards set to work to repair his wireless apparatus which had sustained damage. Not until this task was successfully completed did Flight Sergeant Donaldson report his injury. Later on, the aircraft again came under fire and received further damage. Although in considerable pain, Flight Sergeant Donaldson made light of his injuries and remained at his post to execute his wireless duties until the sortie was completed. He displayed fortitude, courage and devotion to duty of a high order.”
Donaldson’s Flying Log Book records 37 operations on Stirlings with No. 199 Squadron, seven of these being noted as ‘Special Operations’, the last on 28 September, 1944, against Braunschweig. In December 1944 he was posted to No. 1 A.F.U.(O) at Wigtown, on Ansons, and finished the war there.
A total of 103 C.G.M. (Flying) awards have been made.