A Second World War Coastal Command Battle of the Atlantic and Mediterranean operations, and post-war Arabian Peninsula operations group awarded to Flight Lieutenant C.R. Coney, Royal Air Force. He came from Brentford, Middlesex, and according to research notes that accompany the medal, he completed a tour of 50 missions in Liberators over the Atlantic and Mediterranean and serving with 159 Squadron from April to October 1942, and with 160 Squadron from October 1942 to January 1943. He was commissioned in March 1944, and then flew a second tour when a member of 120 Squadron between June and December 1944. Post-war he saw service variously with the General Duties Branch, Secretarial Branch and General Duties (Ground) Branch, and may have again flown at the time of the Arabian Peninsula operations at some stage during the period from 1st January 1957 to 30th June 1960. He retired in September 1972.
Group of 6: 1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star with North Africa 1942-43 Clasp; Defence Medal; War Medal; General Service Medal 1918-1962, EIIR Dei.Grat. bust, 1 Clasp: Arabian Peninsula; (FLT. LT. C.R. CORNEY. R.A.F.), mounted swing style as worn.
Condition: Good Very Fine.
Charles Raymond Corney was born in 1920 in Brentford, Middlesex, his mothers maiden name being Hanson. Owing to the Second World War he originally flew as aircrew as a Sergeant (No.758197) in the Royal Air Force. According to handwritten research that accompanies the medals, he flew on 50 missions in Liberator aircraft as part of Coastal Command, and serving with 159 Squadron from April to October 1942, and with 160 Squadron from October 1942 to January 1943 when he completed his first tour.
Corney was then granted an emergency commission as a Pilot Officer (No.173657) into the General Duties Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 6 March 1944. Once again according to the handwritten research notes that accompany the medals he completed a second tour of operations when with No.120 Squadron between June and December 1944. Promoted to Flying Officer on 6b September 1944, he continued in the service post-war, and transferred to the Secretarial Branch, where he was as a Flying Officer from 6 November 1947, with seniority backdated to 1 May 1946. He then transferred back to the General Duties Branch on 23 July 1948, and promoted to Flight Lieutenant.
Corney was granted a Permanent Commission and then promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 1 October 1951 whilst still with the General Duties Branch, and he quite possibly saw service as aircrew during the Arabian Peninsula operations at some stage during the period from 1st January 1957 to 30th June 1960, and quite possibly as a member of No.42 Squadron and flying in Shackleton aircraft out of R.A.F. Khomaksar on Colonial policing duties. Corney was transferred to the Supplementary List on 1 November 1962, and having latterly held a position with the General Duties (Ground) Branch, retired at his own request on 1 September 1972.
