1939-45 Star
Aircrew Europe Star (France & Germany Clasp)
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939-45
[BIOGRAPHY]
Arthur Richard Craddock was born in 1912 came from Belvedere Road Walsall in the English West Midlands. He was an old boy of Willow House School and before the war he had been employed as assistant manager at the Grove Laundry. His father, the late Mr Arthur Craddock, carried on the family equestrian business of J. Craddock & Son "Bit & Stirrup Manufacturers".
He was a member of Walsall Cricket Club, but his favourite recreation was Horse Riding.
Just before the war he had been a member of the Civil Airguard where he made his first flight. He joined the RAF (VR) in 1940 at age 28 and went to Canada for training. He returned with his Wings at the rank of Sergeant in November 1941. He was commissioned in December 1942.
Arthur Craddock took part in many night bombing operations over Germany and other targets. He took part in several raids on Genoa & Turin and engaged in the major mine laying operations over the Baltic Sea. He also carried out several raids on Berlin. Arthur was also part of the famous raid on the Krupp's Armament Works at Essen. On one raid while his aircraft was over the target area it was attacked & damaged by two enemy night fighters, but one of the attackers was shot down.
His younger brother Ronald served in the Royal Artillery and a sister served with the W.A.A.F. The husband of another sister was a doctor in the R.A.F., and the husband of a third youngest sister was Staff Sergeant Geoffrey Bednall who won a Military Medal in northern France before the Dunkirk evacuation.
Sgt Bednall later served in North Africa.
An excellent DFC awarded to an R.A.F.(VR) Pilot with long and extensive WW2 Bomber Command service who took part in a very large number of successful night operations over Germany & occupied Europe. With much flying time on the Short Sterling & the Avro Lancaster bombers, his war service spanned the years 1940-1945 with further post-war service until at least 1956.
The DFC which is on its original ribbon & pin comes in its original case and is practically 'Mint' with original deep cobalt-steel grey toning over the superb contemporary engraving.
The campaign stars are in original toned EF on original ribbon, complete with original RAF Pilot's Wings and miniature silver & enamel 'sweetheart' wings .
An excellent grouping. (Operations Research is Ongoing)
SOLD