A RARE & DESIRABLE “AIR FORCE CROSS” QEII (1960)
With War Medal 1939-35
&
General Service Medal.“MALAY PENINSULA”
579944. Flt Lt J.G. DAVIES. R.A.F.
JOHN GORDON DAVIES (28th September 1927-
As this is a very unusual combination of awards which includes a single 1939-45 War Medal it is thought that John G.Davies joined the RAF in the latter weeks of WW2 at the age of 18 probably as a Navigational Instruments Technical Apprentice. He then clearly served as an airman / n.c.o. in a technical capacity for the five years until 1950 when he applied for an officer cadetship and commenced training as a Cadet Navigator.
This was pretty much the standard “back door” route at the time to obtain a commission for lads who perhaps didn’t initially qualify for an immediate direct entry commission. Many famous lads (including Sir Frank Whittle) travelled this road !
This being the end of WW2 - early 1950’s period, the RAF was becoming short of Navigators as many wartime men had left or were leaving the service.
At age 24 John then graduated (at RAF Cranwell) from the rank of Cadet Navigator to Pilot Officer (General Duties) on 28th November 1951 & was promoted Flying Officer on 28th November 1952 and Flight Lieutenant on 28th May 1956.
During his career he is recorded as being attached to the S.N.C.(The School of Naval Cooperation & Aerial Navigation). It was almost certainly for his exemplary service in this capacity that he was decorated with his Air Force Cross in The New Year’s Honours list of 1st January 1960. Clearly a highly effective, greatly experienced and well thought of individual.
In the early 1960’s and shortly after receiving his award he was then posted to an operational flying unit serving in the Malayan Campaign for which service he received his General Service Medal & Malay Peninsula clasp.
He retired on 3rd August 1976 aged 49.
An extremely good, scarce & early QEII (1960) Air Force Cross.
SOLD
JOHN GORDON DAVIES (28th September 1927-
As this is a very unusual combination of awards which includes a single 1939-45 War Medal it is thought that John G.Davies joined the RAF in the latter weeks of WW2 at the age of 18 probably as a Navigational Instruments Technical Apprentice. He then clearly served as an airman / n.c.o. in a technical capacity for the five years until 1950 when he applied for an officer cadetship and commenced training as a Cadet Navigator.
This was pretty much the standard “back door” route at the time to obtain a commission for lads who perhaps didn’t initially qualify for an immediate direct entry commission. Many famous lads (including Sir Frank Whittle) travelled this road !
This being the end of WW2 - early 1950’s period, the RAF was becoming short of Navigators as many wartime men had left or were leaving the service.
At age 24 John then graduated (at RAF Cranwell) from the rank of Cadet Navigator to Pilot Officer (General Duties) on 28th November 1951 & was promoted Flying Officer on 28th November 1952 and Flight Lieutenant on 28th May 1956.
During his career he is recorded as being attached to the S.N.C.(The School of Naval Cooperation & Aerial Navigation). It was almost certainly for his exemplary service in this capacity that he was decorated with his Air Force Cross in The New Year’s Honours list of 1st January 1960. Clearly a highly effective, greatly experienced and well thought of individual.
In the early 1960’s and shortly after receiving his award he was then posted to an operational flying unit serving in the Malayan Campaign for which service he received his General Service Medal & Malay Peninsula clasp.
He retired on 3rd August 1976 aged 49.
An extremely good, scarce & early QEII (1960) Air Force Cross.
SOLD