RAF Awards Database (15 Nov 2020: OBE/MBE/BEM)

**COL BRUGGY** · 5th November 2020, 04:33

Jagan,

In your EGM/GC Award Database, you have an entry (in fact, the first entry), for one, 517540 Sergeant Frederick Henry GARDINER RAF (1939-11-14). I believe this is incorrect. Sgt Gardiner was awarded a BEM(M), for Meritorious Service. You will find details of the incident in Bill Chorley's BC1 (rev. 2nd.ed.)/Classic Pubs.,2013/pp.264-5 (Saturday, 30 September, 1939. No.150 Sqn Battle I K9283.

See the following for an explanation of the distinction between the EGM/BEM:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire_Medal

Please disregard previous post! I deleted original posting but it still shows up on the Aircraft Accident Database - http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...php?uniq=K9283
It would be appreciated if you could delete the 4th November 2020 10:05:18 entry.

Col.

**Jagan** · 5th November 2020, 12:15

Col thanks for that. Fixed it. It should show up in the right place now. I notice that I now have 7 former EGMs categorized as GCs.

**COL BRUGGY** · 5th November 2020, 20:35

Jagan,

Much appreciated, Thanks.

Col.

**Jagan** · 15th November 2020, 01:39

About 6000+ entries citations and LG links for the Order of the British Empire series are uploaded.

Current State - 14 November 2020

GBE(M) : 4

KBE(M) : 44

DBE(M) : 3

CBE(M) : 548

OBE(M) : 1422

MBE(M) : 2338

BEM(M) : 2320

While most data is uploaded BEM(M) Citations where available are still Work-in-Progress

**yeoldbarn** · 6th December 2020, 19:46

A friend of mine owns a tunic with the name G.J.SHARPE and his tunic holds a DFC ribbon but his entry cannot be found in the database? He was a RAAF bomber pilot based with the 480 squadron.

**alieneyes** · 6th December 2020, 19:59

Hello,

He was awarded the DFC for his time on No. 460 squadron.

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/vet...=1063072&c=WW2

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1572813

Deceased at Lismore, NSW August 2004

Regards,

Dave

**Jagan** · 6th December 2020, 20:11

Originally Posted by yeoldbarn

A friend of mine owns a tunic with the name G.J.SHARPE and his tunic holds a DFC ribbon but his entry cannot be found in the database? He was a RAAF bomber pilot based with the 480 squadron.

His name was recorded as J G SHARPE in the gazette - hence:
http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...6&qname=SHARPE

searching the db is easy, infact only three SHARPE with a DFC
http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...C&qname=SHARPE

**yeoldbarn** · 7th December 2020, 10:57

Originally Posted by Jagan

His name was recorded as J G SHARPE in the gazette - hence:
http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...6&qname=SHARPE

searching the db is easy, infact only three SHARPE with a DFC
http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...C&qname=SHARPE

I think it is an error from the Gazette. Alieneyes has provided us with the documentation from the AWM.

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1572813

**wwrsimon** · 7th December 2020, 11:16

Hello

1946-06-04 BEM(M) Cpl Kenneth James HARVEY (1019205) - his award was listed in the King's Birthday honours List in 1946. He was also awarded the Silver Medal of Honour for Humane Assistance by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, for the following incident:

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/72474

Mosquito HJ761
Hit by HX970 while parked RAF Croft 27.11.1945.
Mosquito aircraft of the Royal Netherlands Naval Air Service swung violently off the runway whilst taking off and crashed into another Mosquito, the aircrew cutting into the wing petrols tanks of the parked aircraft, causing them to explode and throwing blazing petrol in all directions, enveloping both aircraft in flames. Corporal Harvey, showing complete disregard of the fire and the imminent danger of further explosions, jumped onto the Dutch plane and pulled the pilot from the wrecked and burning cockpit. With the help of three other airmen, who showed equal complete contempt of danger, Corporal Harvey was able to carry the pilot to a safe distance in the nick of time before the explosion of the remaining petrol tanks. The pilot, though badly injured and burned, undoubtedly owes his life to the exceptional courage of rescuers, especially Corporal Harvey, who acted instantly without thought for his own safety.

The Dutch award was reported in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle of Tuesday May 17th 1949:

Rescue recalled by medal award
A daring war-time rescue by a Newcastle man at Croft Spa aerodrome, near Darlington, was recalled at the Netherlands Embassy when Prince Bernhard invested Mr. Kenneth J. Harvey, of 1, Osborne Place, Palmersville, Forest Hall, with the Silver Medal of Honour for Humane Assistance conferred on him by Queen Wilhelmina.
Mr. Harvey was serving as a coproial in the R.A.F. when a Mosquito crashed on the airfield and burst into flames. At considerable risk, he rescued the Dutch pilot.
Mr. Harvey (a native of Newcastle and a former student at Rutherford College), was awarded the B.E.M. in the King's Birthday honours List in 1946.

Regards

Simon

**wwrsimon** · 7th December 2020, 11:23

Hello again

1942-01-01 BEM(M) Sgt Gilbert Edwin PERRETT (989103) - his B.E.M. award was reported in the Newcastle Journal & North Mail of July 29th 1943:

Courage at Malta won him B.E.M.
At a recent investiture at Valetta, capital of Malta, Flight Sergeant Gilbert E. Perrett, R.A.F.V.R., son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Perrett, Cottersloe Road, Norton [Norton-on-Tees], was decorated by Lord Gort with the British Empire Medal. The award is understood to have been made in recognition of his "courage and devotion to duty."
Educated at the Central School, Stockton, Flight Sergeant Perrett was employed for nine years as a clerk in the transport section of I.C.I., Billingham, before enlisting in the R.A.F. in May, 1940. He was a member of the Institute of Transport, and has been serving with the R.A.F. in Malta for over two years.

Regards

Simon