Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War 1945 D.F.C. group of six awarded to Halifax Flight Engineer, Pilot Officer R. Bound, Royal Air Force, who flew in at least 50 operational sorties with 78, 35 (Madras Presidency) and 578 Squadrons

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1945’, and additionally engraved ‘F/O Ronald Bound’; India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (565690. A.C.1. R. Bound. R.A.F.) partially officially corrected; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, generally good very fine (6) £1800-2200

D.F.C. London Gazette 17 April 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘Pilot Officer Bound has completed his second tour with a further 20 operations to his credit totalling 92.10 hours making a grand total of 50 operations totalling 277.20 hours.

In the course of his second tour he has attacked a number of heavily defended targets such as Dusiburg, Sterkrade, Essen and Bochum.

This officer has displayed a high standard of technical ability throughout his tour. The successful completion of many of his crew’s operations are to a large extent to his initiative and resourcefulness combined with a confident and cheerful manner, which had had a splendid effect on the morale of his crew and which have been a fine example to his fellows both in the air and on the ground. He has at all times displayed great presence of mind and determination.

Remarks by Station Commander:

This enthusiastic and efficient Flight Engineer has maintained a high standard of work throughout two operational tours in Bomber Command. His valuable experience as a Flight Engineer has not only helped to maintain a high standard of morale in his crew but has contributed in no small manner to the many successful attacks carried out against the enemy.’

Ronald Bound served with the Royal Air Force on the North West Frontier prior to the Second War. Having advanced to Sergeant, he qualified as a Flight Engineer in September 1942. Bound was posted for operational flying to 78 Squadron (Halifaxes) at Linton-on-Ouse, in October 1942. Bound flew in 22 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Terschelling; Genoa (2); Hamburg (2); Turin; Anhold; Duisberg; Skagen; L’Orient (3); Berlin; Dusseldorf; Cologne (3); Wilhelmshaven (3); Nuremberg and St. Nazaire.

Bound was posted to 35 (Madras Presidency) Squadron (Halifaxes), at Gravely in March 1943. He flew in 8 operational sorties with the Squadron as part of Path Finder Force, including: St. Nazaire; Duisberg (2); Berlin; Pilsen; Dusseldorf; Wuppertal and Munster. He was posted to 1652 H.C.U., Marston Moor, in August 1944, prior to a return to operational flying with 578 Squadron (Halifaxes) at Burn later that month. Bound flew in 20 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Brest; Lumbres; Venlo; Le Havre (2); Calais (3); Cap Gris-Nez; Sterkrade (2); Kleves; Bochum; Duisberg (2); Essen; Julich; Soest; Mulheim, 24 December 1944, ‘Hit By Flak. No. 4 Tank Pt. Side. Just Made It 40 Galls Left. Pt. Outer Feathered’ (Log Book refers), and Kolnkalk Nord.

Bound advanced to Pilot Officer, and his subsequent postings for the remainder of the war included to No. 27 O.T.U., February - June 1945.

Sold with recipient’s Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (18 October 1942 - 1 December 1944), and named D.F.C. enclosure document.