Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine post-War C.B.E., ‘Pathfinder Squadron Commander’s’ D.S.O., ‘1940’ D.F.C. and post-war Q.C.B.C. group of ten awarded to Wellington and Stirling pilot Group Captain O. R. Donaldson, Royal Air Force, who flew in at least 34 operational sorties with 115 Squadron between September 1939 - August 1940, before going on to command 7 Squadron, October 1942 - May 1943. Mentioned in Despatches twice for the Second World War, awarded the Q.C.B.C. for his part during a bomb explosion at R.A.F. Marham in September 1954, and further Mentioned in Despatches for services in the Suez

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 2nd type, neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, blue enamel damage; Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially dated ‘1943’, with integral top riband bar; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type, breast badge, silver-gilt; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1940’; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Near East, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Act. Gp. Cpt. O. R. Donaldson. R.A.F.) second clasp loose on riband, as issued, breast awards mounted as originally worn, with Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air Emblem and a Path Finder Force Badge, all housed in custom made display case, generally very fine or better, unless otherwise stated (10) £4,000-£5,000

C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1953.

D.S.O. London Gazette 11 June 1943:
‘Group Captain Donaldson has completed a large number of sorties since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. During the six months he has commanded the squadron, it has maintained its fine operational record and fresh honours have been achieved. By his sound organisation, thorough training and personal example, he has fashioned a first class fighting unit. Each operation is most carefully planned and executed and nothing which deserved his personal attention is omitted. Group Captain Donaldson’s firm and tactful handling of aircrews, his cheerful spirit and devotion to duty have earned him the unswerving loyalty of all ranks. He is a skilful pilot with a fine record of successful bombing sorties against the enemy. His example as a captain of aircraft has been an inspiration to his unit.’

O.B.E. London Gazette 10 June 1948.

D.F.C. London Gazette 11 June 1940:
‘One night in May, 1940, this officer was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack focal points behind the enemy’s positions. In the neighbourhood of Hirson he came under heavy anti-aircraft fire which he regarded as indicating that he was near a profitable objective. In spite of the enemy fire Flying Officer Donaldson made five attacks on a road through a nearby wood. As a result a large fire and thirteen violent explosions occurred in what must have been an important enemy dump. He has consistently shown the highest degree of courage and determination.’

Q.C.B.C. London Gazette 25 January 1955:
‘The Queen has been graciously pleased to give orders for the publication of the names of the undermentioned personnel who have been commended for gallantry displayed when two 1,000lb. bombs exploded without warning at Royal Air Force Station, Marham, on 20 September 1954.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1945 and 1 January 1946.

M.I.D. London Gazette 13 June 1957 (Suez).

Oliver Russell Donaldson was born in Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada in January 1912. He was appointed to a Short Service Commission as Acting Pilot Officer on probation, General Duties Branch, Royal Air Force in November 1936. Donaldson was confirmed as a Pilot Officer the following year, and advanced to Flying Officer in November 1937. Donaldson was posted as a pilot for operational flying with 115 Squadron (Wellingtons) at Marham. Between September 1939 - August 1940 he flew in at least 34 operational sorties over Germany, Norway, France, Belgium, Holland and Denmark. Donaldson took part in the disastrous attack on the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau when they attempted to move from their berths towards Norway, 7 April 1940. The Squadron were subsequently engaged in attacking enemy shipping of Norway and occupied airfields. When the German attack on France opened, 115 Squadron began raids in Germany and, later occupied Europe.

Donaldson was awarded the D.F.C., and advanced to Flight Lieutenant in September 1940. He was proceeding on a well-earned leave to Canada when his Log Book was “lost at sea due to enemy action”. Donaldson advanced to Temporary Squadron Leader in December 1941, and served as commanding officer of 7 Squadron (Stirlings) at Oakington, 2 October 1942 - 3 May 1943. In late 1942 the Squadron was one of five squadrons selected to form the nucleus of the Pathfinder Force. Donaldson was awarded the D.S.O., and advanced to Wing Commander in August 1943. He served as Station Commander of R.A.F. Wyton, July 1944 - February 1945. Donaldson advanced to Group Captain in July 1952, and was rewarded with the Q.C.B.C. for his involvement in the following incident:

‘On 20th September 1954, two 1,000lb bombs exploded on the perimeter track at Marham, killing an NCO.

The squadron’s Operations Record Book shows: ‘On Monday 20th September, 2 x 1000lb bombs exploded accidentally some 150 yards from the squadron dispersal and several of the squadron’s aircraft were damaged. The damage to most was very slight but one aircraft WK133 received damage which has entailed placing it CAT3. A piece of shrapnel entered the port lower mainplane skin inboard of rib 6 and ricocheted forward passing through rib 6, the main spar and rib 7, after which it passed through the trailing edge of the aileron. The top skin of the mainplane was slightly buckled along the path of the shrapnel. As a result of this damage, the aircraft needs a complete port mainplane change.’

An additional section records: ‘One airman from the squadron, LAC Hopkins, together with two airmen from 115 Squadron, distinguished themselves by rescuing chief technician Bawley, the tractor driver. The three airmen were approximately 200 yards from the scene of the accident but within 30 seconds they had chief technician Bawley clear of the tractor, this regardless of the fact that there were four more unexploded 1000lb bombs lying on the peritrack and that shrapnel was falling about them whilst they were running towards the tractor. It was unfortunate that, in spite of their efforts, chief technician Bawley died after being admitted to King’s Lynn Hospital.”

Group Captain Donaldson retired in May 1957.

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