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Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 389

(x) A rare post-war Malaya operations D.F.C. group of eight awarded to Squadron Leader A. F. Peers, Royal Air Force, who amassed 1400 hours of operational flying as C.O. of No. 110 Squadron, making numerous paratroop and supply drops

Distinguished Flying Cross, E.II.R., the reverse officially dated '1953'; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (Ft. Lt. A. F. Peers, R.A.F.); Coronation 1943, sold together with the recipient's flying logbooks, mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (8)

D.F.C. London Gazette 6 October 1953:

'In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Malaya.'

The original recommendation states:

'Squadron Leader Peers has served with the Far East Transport Wing for over two years and, for the past 14 months, he has commanded No. 110 Squadron. During this period of command, he has displayed outstanding powers of leadership and a high standard of personal efficiency, both in the air and on the ground, and this has been reflected throughout the Squadron.

His operational flying in Malaya has covered 1404 hours in paratroop and supply drop operations. Many of these sorties have been completed in extremely arduous and hazardous conditions which have required the utmost skill and determination. This officer's devotion to duty and courage in air operations are of the highest order. He has given outstanding service on operational flying over a long period.'

Arthur Frederick Peers joined the Royal Air Force in London in July 1942 and embarked for Canada after attending an elementary flying school. He subsequently qualified as a flying instructor at Pearce, Alberta but returned to the U.K. in March 1944 and joined the Anson Flight at R.A.F. Lyneham. It was here, in the period September-November 1944, that he also flew Dakotas to France and Belgium as the campaign in north-west Europe progressed.

Next ordered to India, Peers served in No. 267 Squadron in the Burma campaign from June 1945 to V.J. Day, operating out of Akyab and Rangoon. Having then been attached to a Communications Squadron in Delhi, he returned to the U.K. in August 1946.

As it transpired, his next overseas posting was to another Communications Squadron, which he joined in the Far East in October 1950. A flurry of flights piloting the unit's Dakotas ensued, back and forth between Changi, Kuala Lumpur, Kai Tak, Labuan and Saigon, among other locations. Some of these flights were of a 'top brass' nature, his passengers including Sir Henry Gurney, the High Commissioner of Malaya, Lieutenant-General Sir Harold Briggs, the Director of Operations in Malaya, and General Sir John Harding, C.-in-C. Far East Land Forces.

In March 1951, Peers transferred to No. 48 Squadron, piloting Valettas and undertaking his first supply drops over Malaya. Shortly afterwards he took command of No. 110 Squadron, another Valetta unit, flying his first paratrooping sortie in July 1952. The pace of Operational outings gained momentum in September-October of the same year, when he flew numerous supply drops and three further paratrooping sorties. Likewise in the period April-May 1953, when he continued to be rated as an 'Exceptional' pilot. He finally returned to the U.K. in August of that year, shortly before the award of his D.F.C. was announced.

Having then entered the jet age in Meteors of No. 2 Squadron, he added Javelins to his types' flown in No. 11 Squadron in Gelsenkirchen. His other appointments in the 1950s and 1960s included No. 64 Squadron at Duxford and No. 152 Squadron at Stradishall. His final posting was to the R.A.F. Technical College at Henlow, Bedfordshire and he was placed on the Retired List as a Squadron Leader.

Sold with a complete run of his R.A.F. Flying Log Books (5), covering the periods November 1942 to April 1948; April 1948 to March 1951; March 1951 to July 1956; August 1956 to March 1960, and April 1960 to October 1962.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£2,400 to £2,800

Starting price
£1900