Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘North Africa - Tobruk Operations’ D.F.M. group of seven awarded to Wellington Pilot Flight Lieutenant R. Stewner, Royal Canadian Air Force

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (Can/R. 80154. F/Sgt. R. Stewner. R.C.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Burma Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, mounted as worn; together with a pair of silver-gilt R.C.A.F. Operational wings, the reverses stamped ‘Stephenson Sterling’, both with with screw-back fitting, suspension re-affixed on DFM with traces of excess solder, otherwise good very fine and better (7) £1,400-£1,800

D.F.M. London Gazette 4 December 1942.

The original Recommendation states: ‘Flight Sergeant Stewner is a pilot of exceptional ability and his operational career has been characterised by courage and daring. On the night of 29 July 1942 he was detailed to attack shipping at Tobruk. Intense and accurate gun fire was encountered and the aircraft was caught in the glare of searchlights. Flight Sergeant Stewner took violent evasive action and successfully completed his task. On many occasions he has shown the greatest determination to press home the attack in the face of heavy enemy opposition. This airman has always displayed devotion to duty of the highest order and his example has had an outstanding effect on all personnel.’

Robert Stewner enlisted into the Royal Canadian Air Force at Winnipeg, Manitoba, on 4 November 1940, and served during the Second World War as a Wellington Pilot with 40 Squadron in the Middle East from 28 December 1941 to 13 March 1943, and on the occasion of the operation for which he was awarded the D.F.M. was flying Wellington HX468. He was commissioned Pilot Officer on 5 August 1942, and was promoted Flying Officer on 5 February 1943. He subsequently served in India from 8 February to 27 October 1944 before returning to Canada, and transferred to the Reserve on 2 April 1945, being granted the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

Sold with the recipient’s original Commission Document; various photographs of the recipient; various correspondence and newspaper cuttings; much copied research, including full service records (some parts redacted) and photocopied pages from the recipient’s Flying Log Book; and other ephemera.