Canada, RCAF. A Bomber Command DFC to Acting Flight Lieutenant George Alfred Thomas Williams, No. 35 Squadron, RAF

Distinguished Flying Cross, GRI (in silver, date engraved "1945" on the reverse of the arm at 6 o'clock); 1939-1945 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 Clasp - FRANCE AND GERMANY; Defence Medal; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp; and War Medal 1939-1945. Mounted to a suspension, with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, silvering wear evident on the DFC and the three Second War medals, contact marks, very fine. Accompanied by the Distinguished Flying Cross Case (black pebbled exterior, Royal Mint maker marked on the inside lid, medal bed in white felt with recessed areas for the award, measuring 78 mm (w) x 145 mm (h) x 21.5 mm (d)); a Distinguished Flying Cross Ribbon Bar (measuring 33 mm (w) x 13 mm (h)); a Two-Ribbon Ribbon Bar (Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Maple Leaf Clasp and War Medal 1939-1945, measuring 66 mm (w) x 11 mm (h))

 

Three Bombardier (B) Wings (in red, white and brown embroidery, on a black wool base, black cotton backer, one measuring 92 mm (w) x 50 mm (h), the other two measuring 98 mm (w) x 50 mm (h) each, two are lightly soiled); his Royal Canadian Air Force Reserve Lapel Badge (in silver, maker marked "BIRKS" on the reverse, measuring 23.5 mm (w) x 23.5 mm (h), screwback); a Royal Canadian Air Force Cap Badge (in bronze gilt, maker marked "W SCULLY MONTREAL LTD" on the reverse, measuring 38.3 mm (w) x 45 mm (h), intact lugs and pin); a Royal Canadian Air Force Cap Eagle (in bronze gilt, measuring 49.5 mm (w) x 14.8 mm (h), one of two prongs intact); a Royal Air Force Cap Badge (in bronze gilt, measuring 40 mm (w) x 45 mm (h), intact lugs and pin); a Royal Air Force Cap Eagle (in bronze gilt, maker marked "FIRMIN LONDON" on the reverse, measuring 51.3 mm (w) x 15.5 mm (h), dual screwbacks); a United States Bronze Star Medal Case (simulated black leather exterior, aluminum-framed, marked "BRONZE STAR MEDAL" on the lid, missing its medal bed liner, measuring 88 mm (w) x 165 mm (h) x 27.5 mm (d)); his Commission Document Named to Pilot Officer George Alfred Thomas Williams, RCAF (embossed seal and stamped signature of Governor General, Major General The Earl of Athlone at the upper left, handwritten number "J26698" in black ink at the upper right, inscribed in running script: "George the Sixth, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India, Vc / To Our trusty and well-beloved George Alfred Thomas Williams Greeting! / We, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct, do by these Presents Constitute and Appoint you to be an Officer in Our Active Air Force of our Dominion of Canada from the Twenty Eighth day of May 1943. / You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge your Duty as such in the Rank of Pilot Officer or in such other Rank as We may from time to time hereafter be pleased to promote or appoint you to, of which a notification will be made in the Canada Gazette, or in such other manner as may for the time being be prescribed by Us in Council, and you are in such manner and on such occasions as may be prescribed by Us to exercise and well discipline, both the inferior Officers, and other ranks serving under you and use your best endeavours to keep them in good Order and Discipline. / And We do hereby Command them to Obey you as their superior Officer, and you to observe and follow such Orders as Directions as from time to time you shall receive from Us, or any of your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in pursuance of the Trust hereby reposed in you. / In Witness Thereof Our Governor General of Our Dominion of Canada hath hereunto set his hand and Seal at Our Government House in the City of Ottawa this Sixth day of July in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Forty Three and in the Seventh Year of Our Reign. / By Command of His Excellency The Governor General", signed by "James A. Sharpe W/C", Air Secretary for Minister of National Defence for Air, with the handwritten inscription in black ink "Pilot Officer George Alfred Thomas Williams / Royal Canadian Air Force / Special Reserve" at the lower left, printed in black ink, on a white linen stock, measuring 432 mm (w) x 355 mm (h), rolled); a Graduation Ceremony and Presentation of Wings to Air Navigators and Air Bombers of RCAF No. 9 Air Observers School Program (dated Thursday, May 27, 1943, four pages, printed in black and blue inks, on an off-white card stock, with scalloped edges, measuring 132 mm (w) x 165 mm (h), lightly soiled); his Royal Air Force Path Finder Force Badge Award Certificate (dated December 15, 1944, printed in black ink, on an off-white card stock, measuring 207 mm (w) x 260 mm (h)); a Letter from the Royal Canadian Air Force in Ottawa (signed by Wing Commander T.K. McDougall, for Chief of the Air Staff, addressed to his wife, Emma D. Williams, dated August 3, 1943, the letter accompanying the RCAF Officer's Commission Script for Pilot Officer G.A.T. Williams, printed in black ink, with individualized typewritten text, on an off-white paper stick, measuring 203 mm (w) x 254 mm (h), undulated); a Letter from the Minister of National Defence for Air in Ottawa (signed by the Acting Minister of National Defence for Air, addressed to his wife, Emma D. Williams, dated February 23, 1945, informing her of her husband's award of the Distinguished Flying Cross while with No. 35 Squadron RAF and stating his citation, printed in black and blue inks, with individualized typewritten text, on an off-white paper stick, measuring 203 mm (w) x 255 mm (h)); and a RCAF Certificate Entitled "The Object of Disciplinary Training (a featured extract from the RCAF Manual, Drill and Ceremonial, printed in black ink, on an off-white paper stock, measuring 335 mm (w) x 285 mm (h)). 

 

 

Footnote: George Alfred Thomas Williams was from Montreal, Quebec and enlisted for service with the Royal Canadian Air Force. In the frank of Leading Aircraftman, he attended No. 9 Air Observer School at St. Johns (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu), Quebec and graduated as an Air Bomber (Bombardier) on Thursday, May 27, 1943. He officially received his commission as a Pilot Officer on May 28, 1943. He qualified for the award of the Royal Air Force Path Finder Force Badge on December 15, 1944. J.26698 Acting Flight Lieutenant George Alfred Thomas Williams, Royal Canadian Air Force was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, "for great gallantry in the performance of his duty while serving with No. 35 Squadron, Royal Air Force", the announcement of the award appearing in the Fourth Supplement to the London Gazette 36942 of Tuesday, February 13, 1945, on Friday, February 16, 1945, page 934. His citation states: "This officer has completed numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which he has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty."