Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare D.F.C. and 1940 A.F.M. group of six awarded to Squadron Leader E. F. Sly, Royal Air Force
Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated 1943; Air Force Medal, G.VI.R. (566485 Sgt., R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals, good very fine and a rare combination of awards (6)

A.F.M. London Gazette 11 October, 1940. One of only 15 A.F.M.’s awarded in 1940.
The following is taken from a contemporary news cutting: ‘A twenty-three year old R.A.F. flying instructor, who when his plane was damaged in a collision with a pupil’s aircraft, landed in a field with one wing off and the other damaged, and with his undercarriage retracted, has been awarded the A.F.M. He is Sgt. Frank Sly, a flying instructor in the advanced training squadron of a flying training school. His award is for “exceptional valour, courage and devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy.” Sgt. Sly was carrying out formation flying practise in a twin-engined training aircraft with a pupil in another aircraft of the same type.
On reaching 900 feet his passenger noticed that the pupil’s aircraft was approaching from practically dead astern, and was just about to cause a collision. Sgt. Sly immediately banked his aircraft to the left, but was unable to prevent the other aircraft coming into a collision with his starboard wing and severing it just beyond the engine. By using full left aileron and full starboard engine - his right aileron having dropped off complete with the torn off wing - Sgt. Sly succeeded in regaining control of his aircraft. He flew straight for two miles. Meanwhile the starboard wing continued to break up. But at last the Sergeant got his damaged aircraft down and landed.’ The above information is substantiated by the Air Ministry Bulletin No. 2214 on the reverse of an official photograph of the damaged aircraft. Both the photograph and the news cutting are sold with the group.
D.F.C. London Gazette 14 May, 1943: Acting Squadron Leader Ernest Frank Sly, A.F.M., No. 218 Squadron. In November, 1942, while flying on operations against Stuttgart, one engine of this officer’s aircraft became unserviceable, while over the target area. Despite this, he pressed home his attack in a daring manner and returned safely to base. On another occasion, while minelaying, Squadron Leader Sly was forced to bring his aircraft down to 300 feet owing to damage sustained in combat with an enemy fighter. By superb airmanship and determination a safe return was made. Squadron Leader Sly has, at all times, displayed high courage and devotion to duty.