Beschreibung:

A rare Second World War and post-war campaign group of seven awarded to Captain T. M. Ogston, Army Air Corps, late Glider Pilot Regiment, who was recommended for the award of an A.F.C. for his ‘incredible feat of navigation and airmanship’ as a helicopter pilot in No. 653 Squadron, whilst evacuating wounded in South Arabia in 1965 - in the event he was awarded a Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air, in addition to being appointed a Member of the Order of South Arabia Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (1931109 S. Sjt. T. M. Ogston, A.A.C.); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, South Arabia, with Q.C.V.S.A. emblem (Capt. T. M. Ogston, AAC.); Omani General Service Medal, clasp, Dhofar (2) Sultan Said issue; another, Sultan Qaboos issue; As Sumood Medal, generally good very fine (7) £3000-3600 Footnote Q.C.V.S.A. London Gazette 8 October 1965. The original recommendation - for an A.F.C. - states: ‘As the Squadron Helicopter Instructor Lieutenant Ogston has consistently set an outstanding example to the other pilots by his exceptional skill, determination and bravery. Twice recently he has made perilous trips under adverse conditions in order to evacuate to hospital grievously injured casualties. On the night of 21 February 1965 Lieutenant Ogston was the pilot of a helicopter which was sent to evacuate an Arab of the Federal National Guard who had been badly injured in an ambush. The 80 mile return journey was made in complete darkness entailing landing among the mountains at Habilayn by the light of vehicle headlights. On the night of 12 April 1965 Lieutenant Ogston was again the pilot of a helicopter which went to evacuate two British Territorial Army soldiers who had been critically injured in an attack on their camp at Al Milah. It was imperative that they be moved to hospital without delay. After a 30 mile journey in the dark above a layer of cloud, Ogston located the camp and descended through a hole in the cloud to land by the light of hand torches. The accomplishment of such a journey was an incredible feat of navigation and airmanship made possible only by the pilot's skill and complete disregard for his own safety. By his bravery he has saved three lives and given an immense boost to the morale of the comrades of the injured.’ For these services Ogston was also appointed a Member of the Order of South Arabia on 17 February 1966. Thomas Matthew Ogston was born at Stratfield-Saye, Basingstoke, Hampshire in June 1925 and originally enlisted in the Royal Engineers as a boy recruit in June 1939. Transferring to the Glider Pilot Regiment in February 1945, he served with ‘G’ Squadron, 1 Wing in Palestine and Egypt, from March 1946 to May 1947, and in Germany during the Berlin Airlift in 1949. His next overseas assignment was in Korea from February 1954 to December 1956, with 1913 Independent Light Liaison Flight, R.A.F., and later with 1st Commonwealth Division Light Liaison Section Having then attended 12 Helicopter Course at Middle Wallop in February 1960, he served in Aden with 3 Wing, Army Air Corps 1963-65, in which period, as cited, he undertook a number of daring flights to evacuate wounded personnel. His flight to Al Milah, near the Yemen frontier, on the night of 12 April 1965, followed an attack on the base occupied by 131 Independent Commando Squadron, Royal Engineers. Two N.C.Os were killed outright and the R.M.O. - Major C. M. Samuel - won an M.B.E. for tending under fire the two wounded men who Ogston eventually evacuated. Ogston, a ‘strong personality’ and blessed with much charm, was subsequently attached to the Sultan of Oman’s Forces and retired in October 1969. He died in August 1989; sold with copied service records.