Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Bomber Command’ D.F.M. group of four awarded to Flight Sergeant J. S. Robertson, Royal Air Force, who undertook 57 operational sorties to some of the most heavily defended enemy targets, the majority as a Lancaster Rear Gunner with 582 Squadron, Pathfinder Force

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1822281. F/Sgt. J. S. Robertson. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine (4) £1,600-£2,000

D.F.M. London Gazette 20 February 1945.

The original Recommendation, dated 21 November 1944, states: ‘As rear gunner of a blind marker crew Flight Sergeant Robertson has made 54 sorties including many to heavily defended areas. His ceaseless vigilance has given a sense of security to the other crew members and thus improves the quality of their work. He is an excellent gunner who is at pains to keep himself and his armament at the peak of his efficiency and is always prepared to give a good account of himself in a tight corner. He strongly recommended for a non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.
Remarks by Station Commander: This N.C.O. has proved himself, in his operational career, to have outstanding courage and efficiency. His high sense of devotion to duty makes him very worthy of the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.
Remarks by Air Officer Commanding: Strongly recommended.’

John Scott Robertson enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1943, and whilst undergoing training in Wellingtons flew two operational sorties in August 1943. After converting to Lancasters, he received his first operational posting to 576 Squadron (Lancasters) based at R.A.F. Elsham Wolds at the end of that year, and flew his first operational sortie with the Squadron on 14 January 1944: a bombing raid on Brunswick. Transferring to 156 Squadron, Pathfinder Force, based at R.A.F. Upwood in March 1944, Robertson’s first operational sortie with his new Squadron was a raid on Berlin on 24 March 1944, followed up by a raid on Essen two days later. Transferring to 582 Squadron, Pathfinder Force, the following month, over the next nine months Robertson flew a further 48 operational sorties, with targets including Cologne, Essen, Longues (D-Day, 6 June 1944), Keil, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Bremne, Frankfurt, Dortmund, and Dusseldorf. His final operational sortie, his 57th, was a raid on Essen on 12 December 1944.

Sold with the recipient’s Navigator’s, Air Bomber’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book, covering the period 16 May 1943 to 12 December 1944; named Buckingham Palace enclosure for the D.F.M.; Air Gunners cloth brevet; two photographs of the recipient, one of which is coloured; and a large group photograph of 582 Squadron PFF, November 1944