Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part II)

Four: Pilot Officer H. G. R. Pirie, Royal Air Force

1939-45 Star, later clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, in a recent card box of issue, with M.O.D. forwarding letter addressed to the recipient’s brother, dated 4 August 1967, all late, possibly official issues, extremely fine (3) £100-150

Herbert George Ross Pirie was posted missing on 9 August 1940, when his Anson of No. 500 Squadron failed to return from an operation off the Dutch coast. As it transpired, two of his crew had managed to bale out, and Pirie’s death was confirmed via the Red Cross a few weeks later. Although a veteran of numerous sorties, his operational career having commenced in May 1940, Pirie would not appear to be entitled to the clasp ‘Battle of Britian’, his Squadron’s role having been of a maritime reconnaissance nature. He was buried in the Noordwijk General Cemetery in the Netherlands; sold with further details, including relevant Operational Record Book entries.