A Shackleton Navigator’s General Service Medal 1918-1962, EIIR Dei.Grat. bust, 1 Clasp: Arabian Peninsula, awarded to Flight Lieutenant B.E. Collins, Royal Air Force. Collins saw service from June 1950 into the 1980’s, and flew as a navigator. He formed part of the Aden Detachment from 42 Squadron who flew in Shackleton’s out of R.A.F. Khomaksar when undertaking colonial policing sorties during the Arabian Peninsula operations.
General Service Medal 1918-1962, EIIR Dei.Grat. bust, 1 Clasp: Arabian Peninsula; (FLT. LT. B.E. COLLINS. R.A.F.), mounted swing style as worn.
Condition: toned, Nearly Extremely Fine.
Brian Edward Collins was born on 11th April 1932 and having been a Cadet Navigator, was commissioned into the Royal Air Force as an Acting Pilot Officer (No.4044382) on 3rd November 1951, with seniority backdated to 26th June 1950. He was promoted to Flying Officer on 3rd November 1952, and to Flight Lieutenant on 3rd May 1956. In the meantime he had seen service with 269 Squadron at Ballkelly before being posted to 42 Squadron at St Eval from November 1955, and was with this squadron when he formed part of the detachment sent to Aden. As such Collins saw service during the Arabian Peninsula operations at some stage during the period from 1st January 1957 to 30th June 1960. In Aden his squadron operated in Shackleton aircraft out of R.A.F. Khomaksar when undertaking colonial policing sorties.
By July 1959 he was back home and on duty with 120 Squadron at Kinloss, and he was then appointed to a Permanent Commission on 21st April 1960. Collins was transferred from the General Duties Flying Branch to the General Duties Ground Branch on 11th April 1970, and he retired as his own request on 1st September 1977. Retirement however did not suit him, and he then returned to duty as a Flight Lieutenant on the Active List from 7th January 1980. It is uncertain when he retired, however he died in St Andrews on 9th October 2021.
