Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second War D.F.M. awarded to Flight Sergeant L. E. G. Middleton, No. 432 (Leaside) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1294748 F./Sgt., R.A.F.); together with his Observers and Air Gunners Flying Log Book (2 July 1942-28 January 1944); congratulatory letter on award of D.F.M. from Air Officer Commanding No. 6 R.C.A.F. Group, dated 15 July 1944, four letters written in the 1980’s by two members of Middleton’s crew giving much interesting detail, nearly extremely fine £600-800

D.F.M. London Gazette 27 June 1944. The recommendation states ‘An above average and very efficient wireless operator who has completed twenty eight successful trips and has shown such exceptional operational ability that he has won the confidence and respect of his crew and his superior officers. Under a calm and quiet manner this N.C.O. has shown remarkable skill and coolness, and has been an inspiration to all wireless operators in the Squadron. For his exceptional skill and quiet determination and his devotion to duty, this N.C.O. is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.’

An extract from one of the letters included with the lot recalls an episode involving Middleton ‘Once over a target I saw his (Middleton’s) body draped over the chute from which, as the bombs went, he despatched a photographic flare of several million candle power. As he didn’t respond to enquiries about his health I assumed he had been injured and went back to investigate, only to find that his intercom had become detached. It transpired that he had found the uncovered vanes of the flare turning and thinking that the thing was liable to explode he was covering it with his body.’

The log book records all of Middleton’s operational flying in Wellington and Lancaster bombers, including such targets as Essen, St Nazaire, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Wuppertal, Krefeld, Mulheim, Gelsenkirchen, Berlin, Leipzig, Frankfurt, Stettin, Brunswick, Magdeburg. The last entry in the log book is for an operation over Berlin om 28 January 1944, the page on which this entry is made is rubber stamped ‘Withdrawn from air crew duties’. From research included with the lot it would appear that the reason for his withdrawal was due to his health having suffered as a result of the stresses and strains of operational flying.