Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Flight Lieutenant G. L. Jones, 207 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action when his Lancaster collided mid-air with another Lancaster from 467 Squadron and exploded whilst on a bombing raid over Nevers, 15-16 July 1944

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Air Council enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘W. J. Jones, Esq., Newlands, 102, Overland Road, ...bles, Swansea, Glam.’, extremely fine (3) £140-£180

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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George Leeson Jones was commissioned into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and was posted to 207 Squadron from 51 Base on 28 April 1944, based at R.A.F. Spilsby and flying Lancasters. His first operational sortie, as 2nd Pilot, was a bombing raid the following day on the Michelin Tyre factory at Clermont Ferrand. From April to July 1944 Jones flew 20 operational sorties attacking such targets as the Tours Malines Annecy ball bearing works, Burg-Leopold military camp, Maisey Gun Batteries on Omaha and Utah beaches for D-Day, the Pommereval flying bomb rocket site, the Marquis Mimoyecques V1 rocket site.

Jones was killed in action when Lancaster ME807, which he was piloting, was detailed to attack the Nevers rail yards on 15-16 July 1944. The Squadron Operational Record Book notes: ‘Fine: 13 aircraft detailed for operations later reduced to 6 and one reserve, 6 took off to attack Nevers, one (F/Lt. Jones with PO Dalglish) failed to return. Other crews report seeing what appeared to be a collision over the target, aircraft seen to disintegrate.’
Later reports confirmed that Jones’ aircraft had collided with a 467 Squadron Lancaster at 0300 hours over the target area. Both aircraft disintegrated and all crew members were killed.

Jones is buried alongside his crew in Lignieres-de-Touraine Communal Cemetery, France. His medals were sent to his father, William James Jones.

Sold with copied research including a photographic image of the recipient.