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WW2 Canadian RCAF Distinguished Flying Cross Medal Group W/C LH Randall w/Logs
WW2 Canadian RCAF Distinguished Flying Cross Medal Group W/C LH Randall w/Logs. The citation is as follows:
This officer has a long record of operational flying. He has completed two tours of operational duty and has been employed on flying duties continously since september 1939. As captain of aircraft he has flown on long and ardous patrols over the artic, atlantic and indian oceans. Wing commander randall has commanded his squadron since June 1943, and his courageous leadership, skill and devotion to duty have earned the admiration of all. Award dated 5 July 1945
Born 4 September 1919 in Wainwright Alberta, hone in Delbourne Alberta and was a farmer. Former service in the RCA. Enlisted in Quebec on Feb 26/42. Trained at 5 ITS till May 1942, #1 BGS 15 May 1943 and then 1 AOS 7 August 1943, Promoted to sgt 17 Sept 1943. Posted overseas Oct 1943. Repatriated 13 August 1945. Commissioned 24 March 1945.
He stayed on post war with many commands to follows. During the war he was the commanding officer of 413 for a time.
The DFC is dated 1945 on the back. THe CD is named to W/C LH Randall. Two logs books come with this lot. The prewar log book is dated July 1938 and ends in June 1939. The large size log book starts in May 1939 and goes to Nov 1964. Includes his wartime service with 413 Squadron.
Includes some research. Also as shown in the picture is a trowel that is named to him as follows: Presented to G/C LH Randall DFC CD at the opening of Randall Arena RCAF Station Centralia Ontario 25 October 1963
Great complete grouping

Code: 76478Price: 6250.00 CAD

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WW2 British Distinguished Conduct Medal Group DOW L/Sgt H Sye London Irish
WW2 British Distinguished Conduct Medal Group DOW L/Sgt H Sye London Irish Rifles. Medal officially named to 7020431 L.Sgt H Sye Lond. Ir. Rif. Comes with some research

Second World War Posthumous D.C.M. group of five awarded to Lance Sergeant Henry Sye, 2nd Battalion, London Irish Rifles, for gallantry in a night attack on Hill 387, north of Monte Pieve, when, having single-handedly attacked one machine-gun post and killed or wounded all of its occupants, he tried twice more to reach another enemy machine-gun but was severely wounded in the attempt; when found later by a patrol he had been lying wounded for more than 36 hours and died the next day

D.C.M. London Gazette 12 April 1945: ‘Lance-Sergeant Henry Sye, Infantry (Belfast) (Since died of wounds).’

The original recommendation for an Immediate award states:

‘7020431 Lance-Sergeant Henry Sye, 2nd Bn. London Irish Rifles, (Belfast) (Since died of wounds)

Fontanelice 032255 Italy 1/25,000 Sheet 99 IV/NW.

On 21st October 1944 on the occasion of ‘H’ Coy’s night attack on Hill 387 N of Monte Pieve the above named N.C.O. was at outset Platoon Sgt. Early in the attack his platoon which was leading the Coy. came under very intensive small arms fire and heavy shelling. Considerable casualties were caused and the Platoon Comd. was killed. L/Sgt. Sye immediately rallied the few remaining men of his platoon and continued to press up the steep slopes towards the objective. All the time he was facing heavy M.G. fire and grenades at short range, but despite this he pressed on with total disregard for his personal safety.

By crawling forward he attacked single handed one M.G. post and successfully killed or wounded all of its occupants.

Not content with this feat, he tried twice more to reach another enemy M.G. but was severely wounded in the attempt.

Throughout this attack, as on many previous occasions L/Sgt. Sye behaved with great personal courage and displayed the highest quality of leadership.’

A regimental account adds: ‘On the morning after the successful operations, ‘G’ Company took over Point 387 from a company of Inniskillings and found Sergeant Sye, who had been lying wounded for more than thirty-six hours. He had refused the aid of stretcher-bearers, but finally had been unable to make his own way back. He died of wounds the next day.’

Code: 76477Price: 10000.00 CAD

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WW2 British Royal Navy DSM Distinguished Service Medal Group Submarine Action
WW2 British Royal Navy DSM Distinguished Service Medal Group Submarine Action. The DSM is officially named to LT/JX 241157 A. Milne Smn H.M.T Lady Shirley. Unusual action as it was a Trawler which sunk U-111 in October 1941. Comes with copied research.

Second World War anti-U-boat operations D.S.M. group of five awarded to Seaman Albert Milne, Royal Naval Patrol Service, who was decorated for his part in the celebrated “David and Goliath” action between H.M. Trawler Lady Shirley and the U-111 in October 1941; he was afterwards killed when the Lady Shirley was sunk by the U-374 in December 1941

D.S.M. London Gazette 18 November 1941: ‘For daring and skill in a brilliant action against a U-boat in which the enemy was sunk and surrendered to H.M. Trawler Lady Shirley.’

Seaman Albert Milne, LT/JX.241157, H.M.T. Lady Shirley.

Seaman Milne is mentioned in the following terms in the official action report: ‘As masthead lookout he was largely responsible for the successful outcome of the attack... after the gunlayer had been killed this rating was outstanding in keeping the 4” gun in action... Seaman Milne behaved with great calm and determination, and got the rounds away in rapid succession.’

The Lady Shirley, a trawler of some 477 tons, built in 1937 and requisitioned by the Admiralty for use as a Special Patrol Vessel was based in Gibraltar. At 0840 hours on 4 October 1941, the trawler was on patrol in the North Atlantic when the masthead lookout [Albert Milne] reported an object on the horizon. It was thought that the object was a ship’s funnel but owing to the possibility that it might be the conning tower of a submarine, the trawler altered course towards it. The object disappeared shortly after being sighted but at 1004 hours contact was made with a submerged submarine and action stations were ordered. A pattern of depth charges were released and following the explosions a periscope appeared in the bubbles and a submarine broke the surface. The trawlers helm was put hard over to port to bring the 4” gun to bear and fire was opened as soon as possible, at the same time machine guns on the bridge opened fire on the conning tower. The submarine opened fire with her machine guns and instantly killed the gun layer of the 4” gun. However, rapid fire was maintained and some six hits were recorded on the submarine causing the crew to surrender. The trawler picked up some 45 of the enemy crew and the submarine was seen to sink by the stern.

The time was then 1023 hours and the whole action had lasted less than 20 minutes. Of the crew of 30 on the trawler only 9 men remained unwounded after the action to work the ship and guard the prisoners on the four day journey back to Gibraltar.

Such was the magnitude of the Lady Shirley’s achievement, that Their Lordships quickly approved the award of one D.S.O., two D.S.Cs, one C.G.M., six D.S.Ms and five mentions to her crew of ‘about 30’ men.

A little over two months later, at about 0305 hours on 11 December 1941 Lady Shirley, in company with H.M.S. Rosabelle, were on patrol in the straits of Gibraltar when, in what was rumoured to be a quite deliberate act of revenge, both ships were sunk without trace by the German submarine U-374. There were no survivors from either ship and Albert Milne who was still serving in Lady Shirley is recorded as killed in action. He is commemorated by name on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial. He was 24 years of age at the time of his death and left a young widow.

Code: 76475Price: 8500.00 CAD