Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Beaufighter D.F.C. group of six awarded to Flight Lieutenant P.M. Branton, No. 489 (New Zealand) Squadron, R.A.F.V.R.

DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1944'; 1939-45STAR; FRANCE & GERMANY STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS; AIR EFFICIENCYAWARD, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Fg. Off., R.A.F.V.R.) nearly extremely fine (6)

D.F.C., London Gazette, 15 September, 1944. The following information was extracted from an official source, Press Release No. 875: 'F/L Branton has completed many anti-shipping sorties. He has sunk at least 2 enemy merchant vessels and participated in the sinking of 3 others. On more than one occasion his aircraft has been attacked by enemy aircraft but these were successfully evaded. The operational record of this officer is outstanding and he has delivered his attacks with great skill by day or night in all weathers.'

489 Squadron flew Beaufighters armed with torpedo, bombs and cannon on anti-shipping patrols along the North Sea coast. The group is sold with copies from the Squadron Operations Record Book covering in detail 42 patrols flown by Flight Lieutenant Branton, January to October, 1944. Also included are 7 original photographs, 3 of which show strikes against enemy shipping.