Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A well-documented Second War Stirling mid upper gunner’s casualty group of three awarded to Sergeant E. J. Burbridge, 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed with the rest of his crew enroute to carrying out a mine laying operation off Bordeaux, 16/17 December 1942

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named campaign medal card box of issue addressed to ‘Mrs E. J. Burbridge, 51 Corsehill Street, Streatham, London, S.W. 16.’, generally good very fine (3) £400-£440

Eric James Burbridge served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second War. He carried out initial training at No. 4 A.G.S. Morpeth, July - September 1942. Burbridge was posted as a Mid Upper Gunner for operational service with 75 (New Zealand) Squadron (Sterlings) at Mildenhall, in October 1942. Having advanced to Sergeant, Burbridge had a very short and often abortive sortie history - he carried out four operational sorties with the Squadron, three of which he did not complete - one being fatal. His first operational sortie (which his crew did not complete) was 27 November 1942. The next day he flew on a raid to Turin, but was ‘caught in Alps flew back on 3 engines.’ (Log Book refers)

Burbridge moved with the Squadron to Newmarket, and flew in Stirling I R9245 AA-N, piloted by Sergeant B. A. Franklin RNZAF, 16/17 December 1942, ‘T/O 2211 Newmarket to lay mines off Bordeaux. As the Stirling cleared the runway, its starboard wheel clipped the top of Devil’s Dyke, and this was followed by engine failure. Out of control, the bomber spun in at 2212, coming down about a mile from the airfield. Five aircraft waiting to take off had their missions cancelled.’ (Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War by W. R. Chorley refers)

The entire crew of seven were killed in the crash, and Sergeant Burbridge is buried in Streatham Cemetery, London.

Sold with the following related items and documents: Air Gunner’s Brevet; Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (6 August 1942 - 16 December 1942) last page of Log Book annotated ‘This Log Book was sent to me on the 16th July 1949 6 yrs 7 months to the date after Eric was killed. God Bless Him’, with postal envelope and named Air Ministry enclosure for the log Book; Memorial Scroll named to ‘Sergeant E. J. Burbridge Royal Air Force, with enclosure; Telegraph informing recipient’s widow of his death, and another requesting her wishes regarding his funeral, both dated 17 December 1942; letter to the recipient’s widow from the R.A.F. Records Office confirming his death, dated 20 December 1942; letter of condolence from Squadron Leader G. T. Fowler, Officer Commanding 75 (NZ) Squadron, dated 22 December 1942; and two related photographs.