Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Master Signaller R. Purdy, Royal Air Force, who was shot down, wounded and taken prisoner of war, whilst serving with 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron carrying out a raid on Frankfurt 12/13 September 1941

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (M. Sig. R. Purdy. (922942). R.A.F.); Indian Independence 1947 (922942 Sig. II P. [sic] Purdy, R.A.F.) mounted for display on card, with recipient’s POW Identity Disc for Stalag IX C, generally very fine and last scarce to R.A.F. (5) £600-£800

Robert Purdy was born in November 1921, and resided at 16 Newcombe Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force in April 1940, advanced to Sergeant, and was subsequently posted for operational service with 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron (Wellingtons), Marham, Lincolnshire. Purdy’s aircraft, piloted by Sergeant C. F. Dare, R.N.Z.A.F., was shot down whilst carrying out a raid on Frankfurt on 12/13 September 1941. The N.C.O. crew of six were all taken prisoner of war, with Purdy suffering a severe wound to his right leg. He was hospitalised for 9 months, with 5 of them being spent in a Field Hospital at Frankfurt.

Purdy was interned at Stalag Luft III, Sagan, June 1942 - June 1943; Stalag Luft VI, Heydekrug, June 1943 - June 1944; and subsequently at Thorn and Fallingbostel. Purdy was forced to take part in the ‘Long March’, with the advance of the Russian forces in April 1945. He survived to be released when the Allies overtook the column of prisoners. Purdy decided to remain in the R.A.F. after the war, and advanced to Master Signaller in September 1953 (awarded L.S. & G.C. in December 1958).

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