Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A post-War B.E.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant M. Byrne, Women’s Royal Air Force

British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (2073135 Sgt. Mary Byrn [sic]. W.R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue (2073135 Act. F.Sgt. M. Byrne. W.R.A.F.) nearly very fine and better (4) £160-£200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Norman Gooding Collection.

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B.E.M. London Gazette 10 June 1954.

Mary Byrne was conscripted into the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in early 1942 under the National Service Act. Re-established as the Women’s Royal Air Force on 1 February 1949, Byrne was awarded the British Empire Medal whilst serving with the Technical Training Command at R.A.F. Compton Bassett in Wiltshire, a congratulatory letter accompanying the lot adding: ‘We are all proud of you. Well done!’

She later received her L.S.G.C. Medal in Air Ministry Order No. 672 of 1960.

Sold with the original Buckingham Palace award letter, another from Group Officer A. M. Muir detailed above, and two fine photographs of the recipient at the presentation ceremony.