Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Western Desert’ D.F.M. group of four awarded to Baltimore wireless operator Flight Sergeant, later Pilot Officer, R. C. “Dickie” Frost, 55 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew in at least two tours of operations - encompassing 78 operational sorties, and was wounded in action

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (905118. F/Sgt. R. C. Frost. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; War Medal 1939-45, generally very fine (4) £1,400-£1,800

D.F.M. London Gazette 5 February 1943:

‘This N.C.O. Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, on his second operational tour, has been a member of Sqn. Ldr. [F. A.] Plinston’s crew since June, 1942. Between 1st and 22nd July, 1942, he made 15 sorties against the enemy’s troop positions and landing grounds. His keenness, efficiency and devotion to duty have set a very fine example to both experienced and inexperienced members of aircrews in the squadron. He has now completed a total of 78 operational sorties against enemy involving 248 hours operational flying. He is recommended for the award of the D.F.M.’

Richard Charles Frost is featured in the following newspaper article thus:
‘There are many in Streatham who will applaud the weekend announcement of the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal to Pilot Officer Richard Charles Frost, R.A.F., who has seen service in all the Western Desert “see-saw” campaigns - and others besides.

Only son of Mr and Mrs S. C. Frost, who live at 44 Barrow Road, Streatham Common, Pilot Officer “Dickie” Frost - as he is known - won this honour as a Flight Sergeant, wireless operator/air gunner during Rommel’s drive for Alexandria last summer. At that time the British Eighth Army was falling back fast. It was the R.A.F.’s job to delay Rommel as much as possible to gain time to prepare a defence line at El Alamein, and was ceaselessly straffing the enemy lines.

“In the first twenty-two days of July, Sergeant Frost took part in a total of fifteen sorties against troop positions and landing grounds, setting a fine example of keenness, efficiency, and devotion to duty.”

The bare words of the official citation leave big gaps in a story of courage and endurance which was needed in going out against fierce odds time after time. They omit to tell of the fatigue such operations imply, which Pilot Officer Frost bore with unflinching determination.

Twenty-one in April, he was educated at Streatham Hill College and then Emanuel School, Wandsworth, and developed a love for Rugger and tennis. on leaving school he became apprenticed to a local firm of bookbinders. His social activities were devoted to the Belmont Tennis Club and the Arcadians Social Club, a circle of local young people whose headquarters were at Farnan Hall, Hopton Road, of which he was secretary.

When war broke out he volunteered as an observer, and in July, 1940, was posted to the Middle East. There is no doubt that the knowledge of wireless he derived from a transmitter which he operated at home was no small factor in his rapid promotion. He has had many adventures abroad, and on one occasion extinguished a fire which took hold of an aircraft by beating it out with his hands and log book.

During the Abyssinian campaign he operated with his squadron from airfields in the Sudan, and last spring was detailed for special duties. So attached has he become to his squadron - a crack squadron which has broken two records for the number of sorties - that he refused two offers of an instructor’s job in Kenya. In his letters home appear some vivid accounts of the air war in the Middle East. An extract of a letter he wrote last September read “The weather is gradually becoming favourable for our annual Libyan sports I wonder what we shall do this time?”

His question met with a sudden reply - Montgomery’s great attack which culminated in the victory drive to Tripoli. An account of the opening stages of the battle is contained in his most recent letter home:
“I was in the first formation that brought the news of the full-scale retreat (he writes), and from the air it appeared the most ghastly shambles. Trucks were three or four abreast, moving at speed along tracks made for single lines of transport. Fires were burning where oil and petrol had had to be destroyed. The air was full of our own aircraft on harrying duties. All this indicated the enormously superior forces at our disposal. Return tickets have definitely not been issued this time - we go to stay!”

Since then Pilot Officer Frost has been wounded, but latest reports speak of his progressing favourably.’

Sold with a newspaper article from The Streatham News, 12 February 1943, in which the recipient is featured including a picture of him in uniform.