Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Flight Sergeant (Air Gunner) R. Brough, 77 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action when his Halifax was shot own by a night-fighter during a bombing raid on Berlin, 29-30 March 1943

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Air Council enclosure and medal ticket, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘W. Brough, Esq., 182 Bolton Street, Ramsbottom, Manchester.’, extremely fine (3) £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Second World War Royal Air Force Casualties.

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Ronald Brough served during the Second World War as a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner with 77 Squadron, initially flying Whitleys. His first operational sortie was on the 27 April 1942 when they were detailed to attack Dunkirk- their aircraft was hit by flak in the starboard wing but the raid was a success. For the next few months Brough served with several different pilots and crews, and from May to September 1942 77 Squadron was detached to Coastal Command, during which period Brough flew 22 Anti Submarine Patrols.

In October 1942 the Squadron returned to Bomber Command, based at R.A.F. Elvington, Yorkshire. The Squadron was re equipped with Halifax bombers and began operations again in January 1943. Brough participated in a further 10 operations including Lorient (U Boat Pens), Cologne, St. Nazaire, Wilhelmshaven, Stuttgart, Duisburg and Berlin twice.

Brough was killed in action when Halifax JB842, piloted by Flight Sergeant C. H. Newman, was attacked by a German night fighter near the coast of North Germany, during their second raid to Berlin, on 29-30 March 1943. All the crew were killed. 329 planes attacked ‘The Big City’ that night and due to difficult weather conditions and bad marking of the target the attack failed. 21 planes were lost.

Brough is buried in Berlin War Cemetery, Germany. His medals were sent to his father, W. Brough.

Sold with copied research.