Awards gazetted january 1950.

[HughAHalliday]

Thanks to Pavel Vancata diligently photographing documents in Air 2/10307 (Recommendations, 1950 New Year Honours List, gazetted 2 January 1950) I can now offer texts for the following January 1950 awards.

BAR TO AIR FORCE CROSS

JAMES, Hugh Glanffrw1d, FL, AFC, DFM - 24 Squadron, Waterbeach - RAF
MEHARG, Bryce Gilmore, SL, AFC - 40 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF

AIR FORCE CROSS

BEDDOW, James Henry, FL - RAE Farnborough - RAF
BICKNELL, Denis Walter, FL - Habbaniyia, Middle East - RAF
BLYTH, Colin Ian, FL - 6 Flying Training School - RAF
CAMPBELL, John, SL - Brize Norton, Transport Command - RAF
CONDON, Thomas, Lieutenant - Lubeck, Berlin Airlift - SAAF
DAVIS, John Frank, SL, DFC - BLEU Martlesham Heath - RAF
DUNCOMBE, Jack Joseph, FO - 297 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
ELLIS, Walter Thomas, SL - Empire Flying School - RAF
FIELD, Percy, FL - Central Signals Establishment, - RAF
FLOOD, Donovan John, FL, DFC - Station Lynham - RAF
FLYNN, Frederick Ronald, SL - 230 Operational Conversion Unit - RAF
GRAY, Donald, FL - 241 Operational Conversion Unit - RAF
GROCOTT, Frederick Harvey, FL - 24 Squadron, Waterbeach - RAF
HALL, Alan Edward, FL - Central Flying School - RAF
HARBEN, Richard Michael, FL - 297 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
HATFIELD, Percy Robert, W/C, DFC - 209 Squadron - RAF
HITCHING, John Temperley, FL - 18 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
HOUSBY, Reginald Roland, FL - 18 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
JAMIESON, Peter Westwood, SL - Honington - RAF
JOHNSON, Arthur, FL - 47 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
JOHNSTONE, Andrew McCallum, SL, OBE - 30 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
MOULES, Philip Stewart, FL - 59 Sqn, Berlin Airlift - RAF
PARSONS, Basil William, FL - 235 Operational Conversion Unit - RAF
SALTER, Ivor Kenneth, FL - Aircraft Torpedo Development Unit - RAF
SCANDRETT, Basil James, FL - FCITS Sqn, Tangmere - RAF
SMITH, Roy Stevenson, FL - 511 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
STARK, Laurence William Fraser, FL, DFC - AAEE - RAF
STEEDMAN, Alexander, FL - 201 Advanced Flying School - RAF
TAPP, F/O Lorne Arthur, DFC - 99 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
TEAGER, John Ernest William, FL - 230 Operational Conversion Unit - RAF
THOMAS, Robert, FL - 206 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
WALLACE, Andrew Finlay, FL - 240 Operational Conversion Unit - RAF
WILLIAMSON, Frank Wyatt, FL - Buckeburg, BAFO - RAF
WINDLE, Robert Edward, FL - 245/266 Squadron, Horsham St. Faith - RAF
WOOTTEN, Ernest Waite, SL, DFC - 245/266 Squadron, Horsham St. Faith - RAF

AIR FORCE MEDAL

AITKEN, John Earle, Navigator II - 46 Sqn Berlin Airflift - RAF
BEARDON, John Henry Gilbert, Signaller II - 51 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
BOTSFORD, Frank Albert, Navigator II - 18 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
BUCKLE, Ronald Henry Frederick, Navigator II - 53 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
BULL, Bruce Sidney, Pilot II - CFS, Little Rissington - RAF
CAIRNCROSS, John, Navigator II - 47 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
CLARKE, Russell Henry, Signaller II - 59 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
COLLINS, Alan Bruce, Pilot I - 230 Operational Conversion Unit - RAF
COWLEY, Albert Edward, Engineer II - 511 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
KITCHENER, Arthur William, Signaller II - Central Signals Establishment - RAF
LE FEAVER, Royston Joseph, Signaller I - 240 Operational Conversion Unit - RAF
McWICKER, Jack Stearn, Pilot II - 242 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
OATES, William Oswald, Navigator II - 240 Operational Conversion Unit - RAF
STOKES, Duncan, Pilot II - 30 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
WATTS, Geoffrey Ernest, Engineer I - 242 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF

ASSOCIATE, ROYAL RED CROSS

CHINNERY, Gladys Elsie, Acting Matron - Padgate, Technical Training Cmd - PMRAFNS

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL

AGER, Maurice John, Sergeant - Schleswigland, Berlin Airlift - RAF
BERWICK, James Richard, Flight Sergeant - West Raysham - RAF
BISS, John David Dyer, Sergeant - St. Athan - RAF
BOYCE, Joseph, Flight Sergeant - Seletar - RAF
BRADLEY, Ronald William, Flight Sergeant - Finnigley - RAF
BUTLER, James William, Flight Sergeant - Netheravon - RAF
CHILCOTT, Clifford John Mills, Flight Sergeant - Gutersloh - RAF
CHURCH, Jack Joseph, Sergeant - Gatow, Berlin Airlift - RAF
CLIFT, Frank Jonathan, Flight Sergeant - Fassberg, Berlin Airlift - RAF
DANIELS, Leslie, Flight Sergeant - Dishforth - RAF
DRAPER, Freda, Corporal - 46 Group - WRAF
EDNEY, Thomas Arthur, Flight Sergeant - Boscombe Down - RAF
GARDNER, Joseph Henry, Flight Sergeant - Nicosis - RAF
HALE, Leslie Rodwell, Flight Sergeant - Lutenbury - RAF
HARRIS, Cyril, Corporal - Scampton - RAF
HENSMAN, Henry William, Flight Sergeant - Great Ashfield - RAF
HEWSON, William Frederick, Flight Sergeant - RAF Occupation - RAF
HODSDON, Bertram, Sergeant - 1 Base Repair and Salvage Depot - RAF
HOOK, Douglas William, Flight Sergeant - Llandwrog - RAF
HORNE, Alfred Thomas, Corporal - Missing Research Enquiry Section - RAF
IRVING, John Dennis, Sergeant - Odiham - RAF
JOHNSON, Stanley, Corporal - Lubeck, Berlin Airlift - RAF
KING, John Gerrard, Corporal - Woodvale - RAF
MANAGE, Robert Harry, Flight Sergeant - Watton - RAF
MORGAN, Joan, Sergeant - St. Athan - WRAF
MORRIS, James, Flight Sergeant - Air Headquarters, Malta – British - RAF
MURPHY, James Harold French, Flight Sergeantt - Aldergrove - RAF
PALMER, John Victor, Flight Sergeant - Changi, Hong Kpng - RAF
PRANCE, Rita Jean, Sergeant - British Air Forces of Occupation - WRAF
SCOTT, Thomas Roy, Flight Sergeant - Wunstorf, Berlin Airlift - RAF
SIDDONS, Donald Ernest, Flight Sergeant - Kinloss Mountain Rescue - RAF
SLORANCE, Arthur, Flight Sergeant - Hemswell - RAF
SMALE, Harold Edward, Sergeant - Honington - RAF
STOUT, George Blackburn, Sergeant - Abingdon - RAF
WARING, Harry, Corporal - Stamner Point, Aden - RAF
WILSON, May Iris, Sergeant - Yatesbury - WRAF

KING’S COMMENDATION FOR VALUABLE SERVICES IN THE AIR

ADDERLEY, Michael Charles, SL, AFC - RAE Farnborough - RAF
ATCHISON, George Lyall, Pilot II - 209 Squadron Hong Kong - RAF
BANCE, Reginald John, FO - 209 Squadron Hong Kong - RAF
BARRACLOUGH, Ian Gurth, FL - 19 Maintenance Unit, St. Athan - RAF
BARTON, Wilfred James, Pilot I - 22 Flying Training School - RAF
BAYLIS, Francis Joseph, Navigator I, AFM. - 540 Squadron Benson - RAF
BLAIR, Herbert, Pilot II - 3 Air Navigation School,, Thornhill - RAF
CLAXTON, Edwin, FL - 6 SFTS - RAF
COLE, Robert Bruce, Acting Squadron Leader - Cranwell - RAF
COX, John Ralph, FL - 57/104B Squadron - RAF
DOLEZAL, Jaroslav Frantisek, FO - 540 Squadron - RAF
EVERITT, John Walter, FL - 230 Operational Conversion Unit - RAF
FELL, Eric Edward, Pilot I - 21 Elementary Flying Training School, - RAF
GOLDSTONE, Harry, FlL - Watton - RAF
HAYES, Norman Charles, Pilot I - CFS Little Rissington - RAF
JOHNSON, William Henry, Pilot II - Central Bomber Establishment - RAF
KEIGHLEY, James, Aircraftman 2nd Class - 58 Squadron - RAF
LEASK, John Raymond, FO - 8 Squadron Khormaksar - RAF
LONG, Michael Geoffrey, Engineer II - 297 Squadron - RAF
MARLOW, Dennis Earle Gladstone, FO - 540 Squadron, Benson - RAF
McNAMARA, Patrick Joseph, Master Gunner - Bucksburg - RAF
NEWBOULT, John Trevor, FL - CFS Little Rissington - RAF
OWEN, John Scotter, SL - Cranewell Royal Air Force College - RAF
SHARMAN, Alan James, FL - KCVSA - 201 Advanced Flying School, - RAF
SHELFOON, Allen Joseph, WC, AFC - Air Ministry - RAF
STRAKER, William John Peter, FL - RAF Flying College, Manby - RAF
TUPPER, Dennis George, Pilot I (Master Gunner) - 57/104(B) Squadron - RAF
WHITWORTH-JONES, Michael Edward, Master Pilot - 540 Squadron Benson - RAF


OFFICER, ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

HARKNESS, George Augustus, WC, AFC - 2 (India) Group Headquarters - RAF
SAMSON, Bryan, WC - Ministry of Supply - RAF

MEMBER, ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

BORLASE, Eileen Joyce, Acting Squadron Officer - Staff Training, Air Ministry - WRAF
BURFORD, Ernest Frederick, Warrant Officer - West Malling - RAF
COOKSON, Walter Morton, ASL - 5357 Airfield Construction Wing - RAF
GILLESPIE, John, FL - 22 Flying Training School - RAF
GREENSLADE, William James, ASL - 1169 Squadron, Air Training Corps - RAF
HADLEY, Charles Frank, Warrant Officer - Middle East Air Force HQ - RAF
HANDLEY, Sidney, Warrant Officer - Binbrook - RAF
HARPER, Alfred William, Warrant Officer - Martlesham Heath - RAF
HEARD, John Frederick Leonard, ASL - Kent Wing, Air Training Corps - RAF
HOPKINS, Hugh Philip, ASL, AFC - Wunstorf - RAF
HORNETT, Ernest William, Warrant Officer - SIB, South Kensington - RAF
JACOBS, Percy Masters, Warrant Officer - 93 MU, Wickenby - RAF
JARRETT, George Harold, FL - Seletar - RAF
JONES, Arthur Bertie, SL, AFC - AAEE - RAF
JONES, Harold Francis, Warrant Officer - RAF Hospital, Wroughton - RAF
KITCHIN, Henry Norman, AFL - 46 Group Headquarters - RAF
LOUNDS, Kenneth Charles, FL - RAF Western Europe HQ - RAF
MacGRIGOR, Edith May, Flight Officer - Air Ministry Unit - WAAF
MARKER, Hughie Jonathan, Warrant Officer - AAEE - RAF
MASSE, Henry Peter, FL - Missing Research Enquiry Section - RAF
MINCHINTON, Cyril George, FL, DFC - Missing Research Enquiry Section - RAF
NEAL, George Rowland, Warrant Officer - Fighter Command HQ - RAF
OATES, Lionel Harley, ASL - Northern Signals Area - RAF
PHILLIPS, Cyril Thomas, ASL, DFC - Wunstorf - RAF
RANDLE, George Henry, Warrant Officer - 3 Air Navigation School - RAF
ROGERS, William Graham, FL, DFC - Flying Training Command HQ - RAF
STEWART, Alastair Ronald, Warrant Officer - Coastal Command HQ - RAF
THOMAS, Geoffrey Herbert, SL - 7 Squadron - RAF
WATSON, Sidney, Warrant Officer - Mildenhall - RAF
WALLER, Sidney William, SL - Air Ministry - RAF
THORP, Richard Carroll, Warrant Officer - Lyneham - RAF
TOWERS, Alan Ridgard, SL - 47 Group Headquarters - RAF
WRIGHT, John Frederick Mayo, AFL - 600 (City of London) Squadron - RAF

ROYAL RED CROSS

TILBROOK, Edna Mabel, Acting Matron, ARRC - Changi, Far East Air Force - PMRAFNS

[AndyBaldEagle]

Hugh
I would be grateful for the citations for the following if possible please:

AFC
DUNCOMBE, Jack Joseph, FO - 297 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF
HARBEN, Richard Michael, FL - 297 Sqn Berlin Airlift - RAF

BEM
BUTLER, James William, Flight Sergeant - Netheravon - RAF
DRAPER, Freda, Corporal - 46 Group - WRAF

KCVSA
LONG, Michael Geoffrey, Engineer II - 297 Squadron - RAF

MBE
KITCHIN, Henry Norman, AFL - 46 Group Headquarters - RAF

Thanks in anticipation
Regards
Andy

[HughAHalliday]

DUNCOMBE, Jack Joseph, F/O (201647) - No.297 Squadron, Schleswigland - Air Force Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 2 January 1950. Public Record Office Air 2/10307 has citation drafted when he had flown 1,646 hours, 498 on current duties, 422 in previous six months.

Flying Officer Duncombe has completed a total of 179 sorties as a Navigator on the Berlin Air Lift. At all times his standard of navigation has been exceptional and his use of radar landings aids has been invaluable. This officer has shown a keenness and cheerfulness in his work that has set a good example to all and has helped to make the air lift such a success.

HARBEN, Richard Michael, F/L (150710)- No.297 Squadron, Schleswigland - Air Force Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 2 January 1950. Public Record Office Air 2/10307 has citation drafted when he had flown 2,789 hours, 458 on current duties, 388 in previous six months.

Flight Lieutenant Harben has shown exceptional keenness whilst flying as a Pilot on the Berlin Air Lift. He has completed a total of 187 sorties and has at all times shown a spirit of devotion to duty that has been an example to his fellow officers. This officer has made a praiseworthy contribution to the successful completion of the operation.

BUTLER, James William, Flight Sergeant (508708) – Royal Air Force Station Netheravon – British Empire Medal – awarded as per London Gazette dated 2 January 1950. Found in Public Record Office Air 2/10307, courtesy of Pavel Vancata.

Flight Sergeant Butler has been in charge of Glider Repair at R.A.F. Station, Netheraven for approximately 4 years. He has shown outstanding ability in the maintenance and repair duties involved, being personally responsible for the introduction and adoption of many modifications which have largely contributed to the extending or the glider’s flying life to 200 hours. These outstanding successes are due to his extreme keenness in his trade, his pride in his rank and his ability to place duty and loyalty first. His power of organization and administration are of an outstanding nature, and his devotion to duty is exceptional.

DRAPER, Freda, Corporal (2158837) – Women’s Royal Air Force, No.46 Group – British Empire Medal – awarded as per London Gazette dated 2 January 1950. Found in Public Record Office Air 2/10307, courtesy of Pavel Vancata.

Corporal Draper, W.R.A.F., was personal shorthand typist to the A.O.C. at H.Q. No. 46 Group, in the United Kingdom. She joined the advanced Operational Headquarters within two weeks of its transfer to Germany in September 1948, and continued in that capacity until her return to Transport Command in August 1949. Throughout the ten months of her service in Germany, she displayed an exceptional devotion to duty and a high skill. During the very intensive period of the buildup of the operations from October to March, she worked continuously for twelve hours and more, seven days of the week, with a most remarkable loyalty. On a number of occasions, she had to be ordered to take a rest. She continued to work with the same zest up to the date of her posting to the United Kingdom. Very few individuals engaged on the Berlin Air Lift have applied themselves as wholeheartedly to their task with as much cheerful enthusiasm as she did and with no thought for her own welfare or convenience. Her services have been most outstanding.

LONG, Michael Geoffrey, Engineer II (1896659) – No. 297 Squadron (attached to Royal Air Force, Schleswigland – King’s Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air – awarded as per London Gazette dated 2 January 1950. Found in Public Record Office Air 2/10307 by Pavel Vancata.

On May 1, 1949, Engineer II Long was Engineer of a Hastings aircraft engaged on the Berlin Air Lift. The tail-wheel fouled the undercarriage doors and jammed in the retracted position. Working in a very cramped position and in turbulent weather conditions, this non-commissioned officer, by exercising considerable ingenuity in the use of available equipment, succeeded in lowering the tail-wheel. By his devotion to duty, he saved the aircraft from considerable damage.

KITCHIN, Henry Norman, Acting Flight Lieutenant (45566) – Technical Branch – Royal Air Force, No.46 Group Headquarters - Member, Order of the British Empire – awarded as per London Gazette dated 2 January 1950. Found in Public Record Office Air 2/10307, courtesy of Pavel Vancata.

Squadron Leader Kitchin, as Group Signals Officer, was responsible for organizing the Signals requirements for the Berlin Air Lift. This entailed the use of Radio Beacons and landing aids in addition to the normal communication between the Group Headquarters and the six stations. Communications, beacons and landing aids had to be available and working continuously month after month, and any failures would have caused the loss of valuable sorties or may even have endangered aircraft and crews. A big strain was placed on the signals staff owing to the continual reinforcing of the Command, resulting in changes in Headquarters and Group locations. Squadron Leader Kitchin was also responsible for the co-ordination with the United States Air Force for “common user” equipment. There is no doubt that without an efficient Signals organization, the success of the Berlin Air Lift would not have been achieved. This officer, by his devotion to duty in working excessive hours and in no way sparing himself, was very largely responsible for this success. Technically, his work has been highly effective, and his zeal has been an inspiration and a potent example to his colleagues.

[AndyBaldEagle]

Hugh
My grateful thanks for the citations, they are most appreciated
Kind Regards
Andy