The well documented inter-war India North West Frontier Waziristan operations against the Fakir of Ipi Air Gunner and Second World War India and home service group with his rare inter-war flying log book, as awarded to Flight Sergeant W.E. Young, Royal Air Force. Originally from Dorchester, and later the Gainsborough Arms Hotel, Milbourne Port, near Sherborne, Dorset, he saw continuous service between January 1931 and December 1945. He was a Halton Apprentice and a metal rigger, who then flew with both No.9 (Bomber) Squadron at Boscombe Down between January 1934 and August 1935 as part of ‘B’ Flight, and also with No.97 (Bomber) Squadron at Boscombe Down from January to October 1936. For the operations on the North West Frontier he was employed as ground crew with No.5 (Army Co-operaiton) Squadron, and was with the Aircraft Depot in India on the outbreak of the war, being posted home in July 1941. He then saw service with No.1 Signal’s School until February 1945 when he latterly service with No.29 Operational Training Unit.
Group of 3: India General Service Medal 1936-1939, 2 Clasps: North West Frontier 1936-37, North West Frontier 1937-39; (565446. L.A.C. W.E. YOUNG. R.A.F.); Defence Medal; War Medal. Mounted court style.
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine.
Together with the following:
Royal Air Force Pilot’s Flying Log Book, cover inscribed: ‘Young W.E.’, covering the period from 19 January 1934 through to 13 October 1936.
Royal Air Force Certificate of Service and Discharge, issued in the name of William Edwin Young, and covering his service between 20 January 1931 and 35 December 1949. This confirming his entitlement to the India General Service Medal 1936-1939 with both clasps. This contained in its original envelope, addressed to: Mr. W.E. Young, Gainsborough Arms Hotel, Milbourne Port, nr. Sherborne.
Royal Air Force Airman’s Service and Release Book, issued in the name of: P/Sgt 565446 Young W.E’. Dated 4 October 1945.
Letter forwarding the India General Service Medal 1936-1939 with clasp for North West Frontier 1936-37, as issued to W.E. Young, Gainsborough Arms Hotel, Milbourne Port, nr. Sherborne, Dorset’. Dated 2 January 1948.
Royal Air Force Certificate of Conduct and Ability for Civilians, issued in the name of Mrs Erica Nichols Young, for her time spent at a Temporary Clerk Grade III at the Station Headquarters at R.A.F. Cranwell from 15 January to 10 March 1945.
A set of negatives and five printed photographs relating to Young, his service and life.
William Edwin Young was born on 11 June 1914 in Dorchester, Dorset, and immediately after school enrolled into the Royal Air Force as an Aircraft Apprentice with No.1 Wing at R.A.F. Halton from 20 January 1931, being advanced to Leading Aircraft Apprentice on 19 August 1932, and on completion of his training, was then ranked as an Aircraftman 1st Class (No.565446) on being posted to No.9 (Bomber) Squadron at Boscombe Down from 5 January 1934, and employed as a metal rigger on aircraft frames, but also found himself in an unpaid capacity, regularly flying in aircraft. From January 1934 to August 1935 he flew when occasion arose in ‘B’ Flight, gaining a little over 103 hours flying time.
Young was posted to No.210 (Flying Boat) Squadron on 23 September 1935, and then to No.15 (Bomber) Squadron at Abingdon on 22 October 1935, before being posted to No.97 (Bomber) Squadron at Boscombe Down on 8 January 1936. Since January 1934 he had, as noted, gained some 103 hours flying experience, but it was not until 12 March 1936 that he re-mustered and was paid as a metal rigger and Air Gunner, and he served in this capacity with 97 Squadron as part of ‘B’ Flight.
Promoted to Leading Aircraftman on 1 August 1936, his last flight occurred on 13 October 1936, and he then transferred in a ground crew capacity to No.201 Flying Boat Squadron at Calshot on 5 November 1936, and was posted with this squadron out to India on 11 February 1937, where he transferred to No.5 (Army Co-operation) Squadron on 12 March 1937. As such, Young saw service as a metal rigger working on the aircraft for 5 Squadron at the time of the operations against the Fakir of Ipi on the North West Frontier in Waziristan. He was promoted to Corporal on 1 April 1939 and was still in India on the outbreak of the Second World Wr, being stationed at the Aircraft Depot there until posted home on 19 July 1941, having held the rank of temporary Sergeant since 1 March 1941.
He was posted to No.1 Signals School on 12 October 1941, and then re-mustered as a Fitter 2nd Grade on 6 October 1942, and was promoted to temporary Flight Sergeant on 18 February 1943. Young was postured to No.29 Operational Training Unit on 7 February 1945, and was released from service on 24 December 1945, being fully discharged from the Reserve on 25 December 1949. He is shown to have been residing around that time at the Gainsborough Arms Hotel, Milbourne Port, near Sherborne, Dorset. Confirmed as his full entitlement.
