A Wellington Air Gunner’s casualty Air Crew Europe Star group awarded to Sergeant A.G. Oliver, 40 Squadron, Royal Air Force who was killed in action on 7th July 1941 when his aircraft was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Helmut Woltersdorf over the Netherlands. He is now buried in Vlieland General Cemetery.
Group of 3: 1939-1945 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal all unnamed as issued with typed casualty slip to ‘SERGEANT A.G. OLIVER’ and Air Ministry box of issue addressed to Mrs A.G. Oliver, 21 Kerry Road, New Cross, S.E. 14.
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Along with the ticker tape from inside the box of issue with Oliver’s service details, and also a small newspaper article announcing Oliver’s death
Arthur George Oliver saw service as a Sergeant (No. 517536) and Air Gunner with 40 Squadron, Royal Air Force and was killed in action on 7th July 1941 while flying in Wellington Mk1C N2843 on a raid to Munster. The aircraft took off from RAF Alconbury at 2335hrs and was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Helmut Woltersdorf of the 4//NJG 1 who was flying a Dornier 215 from Leeuwarden airfield. In turn the Dornier was hit by return fire from the rear gunner and was forced to belly land the Dornier.
Sergeant Oliver is buried in Vlieland General Cemetery on the island of Vlieland, while the four other members of the crew who were killed (one was also taken Prisoner of War), are remembered on the Runnymede Memorial. Oliver is noted as the son of Arthur George and Jeannie Oliver of New Cross, London.
A small newspaper article from a local newspaper states that:
‘Sergt Air Gunner A.G. Oliver of 21 Kerry Road, New Cross, was killed in action over Munster. He was an old Clyde Street School boy and on leaving school he joined the staff of J.S. Stone and Co. Arklow Road, Deptford. He became air-minded and left home to join the Royal Air Force at the age of 17. He had approximately seven and a half years service. Sergt. Oliver’s family learned the news through the Red Cross, and his Wing Commander sent a letter of appreciation of his services.
