A WW2 DFM Group of 5 awarded to Flight Sergeant Edward William Banks, Air Bomber with 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR), killed in action as Bomb Aimer in Lancaster Bomber ED857 whilst on a bombing raid over Duisberg on the 12-13th of May, 1943, having completed 34 sorties and 202 hours of flying, comprising: Distinguished Flying Medal, GVIR (777836 F/Sgt. E. W. Banks. R.A.F.), Air Crew Europe Star (777836 F/Sgt. W. E. Banks. D.F.M. 156 Sqdn.), 1939-1945 Star (777836 F/Sgt. W. E. Banks. D.F.M. 156 Sqdn.), Defence and War Medals, 1939-1945 (777836 F/Sgt. E. W. Banks. D.F.M. 156 Sqdn.); the first officially engraved, remainder privately engraved, sold with original boxes of issue and named awards slips, medals loose. Group toned, extremely fine. (5) DFM London Gazette 17.07.1945 (posthumous with effect from 12 May 1943) “This NCO has carried out 34 operations against Germany, Italy and enemy occupied territory, 27 of which have been with this Squadron. Flight Sergeant Banks has displayed great efficiency as a bomb aimer and it is entirely due to his knowledge that he has brought back photographic evidence of his good work which has materially contributed to the success of many operations carried out by this crew. At all times he has displayed skill and courage to a high degree and devotion to duty in all his work” Remarks by Station Commander - “This NCO has proved himself to be a most skilful and determined Air Bomber. Award recommended.” Flight Sergeant Edward William Banks appears to have enlisted for WW2 service with the RAFVR from Rhodesia, as suggested by his service number. He served for a time with 142 squadron, before being transferred to 156 Squadron in October 1942, which became part of No. 8 (Pathfinder Force) Group. The Group initially used Wellington Bombers prior to converting to Lancasters in 1943, and as Air Bomber, Edward William Banks took part in a large number of bombing raid over important strategic and industrial targets such as Torino, Genova, Hamburg, Koln, Munich, St Nazaire, Lorient, Berlin, Hamburg, Essen, Kiel, Dortmund, and latterly Duisberg. It was during a raid on Duisburg that Flight Sergeant Banks was killed in action 12-13 May 1943 aboard aircraft ED857, under the command of pilot Lighton Verdon-Roe DFC (son of the aeronautical pioneer Sir Edwin Alliott Verdon-Roe, founder of the Avro Company). He was posthumously awarded the DFM for his WW2 service and is buried with other members of his crew in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
A WW2 DFM Group of 5 awarded to Flight Sergeant Edward William Banks, Air Bomber with 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR), killed in action as Bomb Aimer in Lancaster Bomber ED857 whilst on a bombing raid over Duisberg on the 12-13th of May, 1943, having completed 34 sorties and 202 hours of flying, comprising: Distinguished Flying Medal, GVIR (777836 F/Sgt. E. W. Banks. R.A.F.), Air Crew Europe Star (777836 F/Sgt. W. E. Banks. D.F.M. 156 Sqdn.), 1939-1945 Star (777836 F/Sgt. W. E. Banks. D.F.M. 156 Sqdn.), Defence and War Medals, 1939-1945 (777836 F/Sgt. E. W. Banks. D.F.M. 156 Sqdn.); the first officially engraved, remainder privately engraved, sold with original boxes of issue and named awards slips, medals loose. Group toned, extremely fine. (5) DFM London Gazette 17.07.1945 (posthumous with effect from 12 May 1943) “This NCO has carried out 34 operations against Germany, Italy and enemy occupied territory, 27 of which have been with this Squadron. Flight Sergeant Banks has displayed great efficiency as a bomb aimer and it is entirely due to his knowledge that he has brought back photographic evidence of his good work which has materially contributed to the success of many operations carried out by this crew. At all times he has displayed skill and courage to a high degree and devotion to duty in all his work” Remarks by Station Commander - “This NCO has proved himself to be a most skilful and determined Air Bomber. Award recommended.” Flight Sergeant Edward William Banks appears to have enlisted for WW2 service with the RAFVR from Rhodesia, as suggested by his service number. He served for a time with 142 squadron, before being transferred to 156 Squadron in October 1942, which became part of No. 8 (Pathfinder Force) Group. The Group initially used Wellington Bombers prior to converting to Lancasters in 1943, and as Air Bomber, Edward William Banks took part in a large number of bombing raid over important strategic and industrial targets such as Torino, Genova, Hamburg, Koln, Munich, St Nazaire, Lorient, Berlin, Hamburg, Essen, Kiel, Dortmund, and latterly Duisberg. It was during a raid on Duisburg that Flight Sergeant Banks was killed in action 12-13 May 1943 aboard aircraft ED857, under the command of pilot Lighton Verdon-Roe DFC (son of the aeronautical pioneer Sir Edwin Alliott Verdon-Roe, founder of the Avro Company). He was posthumously awarded the DFM for his WW2 service and is buried with other members of his crew in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
