[B]Wing Commander R F Hamlyn, AFC, DFM[/B]

[Tankertrashnav]

Today's Times has a report on the forthcoming sale of the late Wing Commander Ronald Hamlyn's medals. The story of the DFM, won when he was flying Spitfires on 610 Squadron is very interesting:

Sgt. R.F. Hamlyn DFM, who was also known as ‘The Pied Piper of Harrogate’ and became the RAF’s first ‘Ace in a Day’ of World War Two. He joined 610 squadron on the 6th June 1940. Hamlyn downed two enemy aircraft before the 24th August, but on this day he destroyed a Ju88 and four Bf109s to become an ‘Ace in a Day’. Hamlyn then destroyed Bf109s on the 26th, 27th, 28th and 30th Aug. He was awarded the D.F.M. on the 13th September 1940 and the A.F.C. on the 1st January 1943. He rose to the rank of Wing Commander and survived the war but sadly died on 7th May 1991.

Unfortunately the Times report shows some typically sloppy reporting, referring to him as a squadron leader at the time of the Battle of Britain and describing his DFM as a Distinguished Flying Cross. I know we are always moaning about this sort of stuff on here, but really, facts like these are so easy to check.

The group, which includes his log books, AFC, DFM, WW2 campaign medals and 1953 Coronation medal are estimated to make £60,000, but who knows?

I think I'll pass on these

[NickB]

Is this the chap that used to live near Helston? I'm sure I remember my Dad telling me about him some years ago...

I think his uniform & medals were on display @ Flambards... my Dad pointed out to Lt Cdr Dougy Hale (the boss of Cornwall Aero Park at the time) that the DFM ribbon was displayed upside down..

[air pig]

Read Eagle Day by Richard Collier. It tells the story of Sgt Hamlyn and the day he had two kills. It would appear he was awaiting disciplinary hearing by the Station Commander for landing with the undercarriage up, scrambled twice during the hearing for combat. After returning the Station Commander met him when he taxied in and met him formally admonished him at the aircraft as they were unable to meet in his office.

[CoffmanStarter]

TTN ...

Looks like Spink are handling the sale.



Image Credit : Spink London

More detail here ...

W/C Ronald Fairfax Hamlyn, A.F.C., D.F.M. (1914-1991)

Some other interesting groups in the 20th Nov Auction.

https://www.spink.com/auction.aspx?id=14003

[Vortex_Generator]

I know award precedence is pretty much set in stone but wouldn't it be better if the DFM (the ORs equivalent of the DFC) took precedence over the AFC.

[Tankertrashnav]

Thanks for the links Coff. Wish I were nearer, I'd like to go along and look. Strangely enough as I get older the desire to actually own these rare items has faded, but they are still amazing to look at and handle. Just as well really, they are way beyond my means now!

I found another report this time from the Express which had the same mistakes that I mentioned above. Looks as though they all get the same press release and if that contains errors they are just repeated.

Nick, I remember seeing that uniform in Flambards, been there lots of times as I live very near, but not in recent years so I can't remember if it was this chap's.

Vortex , interesting proposition, combat awards taking precedence over non combat I assume? But as you say, precedence is pretty much set in stone.

I see he got his AFC flying Lysanders and Walruses on Air Sea Rescue. I wonder what an ex-Spitfire pilot felt about flying a Walrus!

[NickB]

Nick, I remember seeing that uniform in Flambards, been there lots of times as I live very near, but not in recent years so I can't remember if it was this chap's.

Tankertrashnav - don't suppose you live/lived at Manhay by any chance?

Many, many moons ago whilst in the ATC @ Helston, I remember an older cadet whose Dad was an ex-Victor nav...

[Wander00]

TTN - ISTR reading that some of the ASR squadrons has Walrus and Spitfire on charge

[Tankertrashnav]

Wander00 - from the write up on Coff's link

C.O. 276 Squadron
Hamlyn was awarded the A.F.C. for his work at R.A.F. Valley. He was then promoted Squadron Leader to command 276 Squadron at Harrowbeer, Devon, 8.12.1942. The squadron was equipped with Lysander and Walrus. Hurricanes, Defiants, Spitfires and Ansons were then supplied, the fighter aircraft being used for spotting downed aircrew at sea. Perhaps unsurprisingly Hamlyn chose to re-acquaint himself with the Spitfire.

NickB - Yes that's me. Son got turned down by the RAF and told to come back in a year, but in the interim he went into the army, and did 22 years in the REME. I'm still in the same house. Did you come on either of the trips to Brize I organised with a flight in a VC10 tanker thrown in?

[NickB]

NickB - Yes that's me. Son got turned down by the RAF and told to come back in a year, but in the interim he went into the army, and did 22 years in the REME. I'm still in the same house. Did you come on either of the trips to Brize I organised with a flight in a VC10 tanker thrown in?

Aha - so I was correct - that makes a change!!

I've not seen your son since he left - probably wouldn't remember me being a spog at the time, but please pass on my regards anyway.

I do remember one trip from BZN but for some reason I didn't go - I think it clashed with something else I had on at the time. I know some friends went and had a great time! Happy Days