Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War D.F.M. group of eight awarded to Flight Sergeant R. W. L. Cargill, Royal New Zealand Air Force, who was decorated for his gallantry as a special duties pilot in the Middle East, onetime as a member of the ‘Special Liberator Flight’

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (NZ405231 FS. R. W. L. Cargill. RNZAF) officially impressed, a slightly later issue, suspension slack; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Pacific Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; New Zealand War Service Medal, mounted for wear, lacking retaining pin, cleaned, very fine or better (8) £1,000-£1,400

D.F.M. London Gazette 6 April 1943.

The original recommendation states: ‘This pilot has completed 365 operational hours in a single tour. He has carried out long and exhausting flights over mountainous areas, often at extreme range. He has frequently encountered and has been through appalling weather conditions. The nature of his duties has required skill, resourcefulness and endurance, which this pilot has never failed to show. His enthusiasm has been an inspiration to all his comrades.’

Robert William Lawrence Cargill was born in Wellington, New Zealand on 20 February 1921 and undertook his pilot training in Canada.

His subsequent postings included to 159 Squadron and 267 Squadron in the Middle East, in addition to the ‘Special Liberator Flight’, in which he flew numerous long-range sorties of a ‘special duties’ nature, including probable supply drops to partisans.

Latterly, he served in 41 (R.N.Z.A.F.) Squadron, which was formed in New Zealand in August 1944. Initially equipped with Hudsons and Lodestars, it later re-equipped with Dakotas and flew countless trips to Allied forces in Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

Such operational activities aside, Cargill also gained election to membership of the Goldfish Club, when his Dakota ran out of fuel on a flight from Tunis to Malta on 9 July 1943, and he was forced to ditch in the sea off Sfax. After eleven hours in the water, he drifted ashore at Chergui Island. Sadly, his fellow crew members, Warrant Officer J. J. Smith and Flight Sergeant D. J. A. Hannan, did not survive the ordeal.

Cargill died in Wanganui, New Zealand in November 1993.