Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

An outstanding Second War ‘1945’ D.F.C. and Second Award Bar, ‘1943’ D.F.M. group of seven awarded to Wing Commander S. A. R. Taylor, Royal Air Force, who flew in at least 79 operational sorties, with 106, 83 and 7 Squadrons - of which 68 were with the Path Finder Force, all as a Lancaster Visual Bomb Aimer of a Marker Crew Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1945’, with Second Award Bar, reverse officially dated ‘1945’; Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1391937 F/Sgt. S. A. R. Taylor. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Radfan (Sqn. Ldr. S. A. R. Taylor R.A.F.) mounted as originally worn, very fine (7) £6,000-£8,000 --- 1 of only approximately 20 D.F.C. and Second Award Bar, D.F.M. combinations awarded for the Second World War. D.F.C. London Gazette 23 March 1945. The original Recommendation states: ‘This officer is on his third operational tour, having completed 60 sorties - 49 of which have been in a Marker Crew, being safely concluded in the Path Finder Force. Flight Lieutenant Taylor’s keenness and coolness in facing the enemy has set a high standard of morale in the crew with which he operates, and has helped to a considerable extent in making the crew such a successful one. Never at a loss to overcome difficulties, his steadfastness; determination to give of his best at all times is highly commendable. He possesses courage of a high degree, cheerfulness under all circumstances, and these exceptional qualities have set a high example to the Squadron.’ D.F.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 16 November 1945. The original Recommendation states: ‘This Officer has now completed 79 operational sorties, of which 68 have been with the Path Finder Force, all as Visual Bomb Aimer of a Marker Crew. Of a very cheerful disposition, Flight Lieutenant Taylor has always displayed courage, skill and efficiency and great determination in action, often under the most trying and hazardous conditions. His strong devotion to duty and untiring efforts to give of his best have inspired the utmost confidence amongst the rest of his crew.’ D.F.M. London Gazette 10 December 1943. The official Press Release states: ‘Flight Sergeant Taylor is a Bomb Aimer of a crew which has acquired a fine reputation on many operational missions. He has completed sorties over many heavily defended targets, always displaying outstanding determination and coolness. During a recent attack on Hanover, five runs were made over the target area before Flight Sergeant Taylor was satisfied that he had identified the target. Recently while engaged in operations against Mannheim and Kassel, he again made several runs in the face of heavy opposition to ensure accuracy of aim. His behaviour has been exemplary at all times.’ Stanley Alfred Robert Taylor was born in March 1922, and educated at Battersea Grammar School. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1941, and carried out initial training as a navigator/bomb aimer, including at No. 42 A.S., Port Elizabeth; No. 26 O.T.U., North Luffenham and No. 1660 Conversion Unit, Swinderby. Taylor flew a Nickel raid, whilst stationed at the latter, 20 December 1942. He was posted for further operational flying to 106 Squadron (Lancasters) at Syerston in January 1943, and flew in at least 10 operational sorties with them, including: Frisians; Berlin (3); Hamburg; Essen (2); St. Nazaire; Duisburg and Kiel. Taylor transferred, with his pilot Sergeant D. N. Britton, to 83 Squadron (Lancasters) as part of the Pathfinder Force at Wyton in April 1943. He flew in at least 36 operational sorties with the Squadron between April 1943 - April 1944, including: Stettin; Duisburg; Essen; Dortmund; Munster; Cologne; Monchanin; Krefeld; Mulheim; Wuppertal; Turin; Hamburg (2); Turin-Genoa; Nuremburg; Milan; Berlin (4); Mannheim; Munich (2); Hanover; Darmstadt; Hanover; Kassel; Modane; Mannheim; Texel (2); Leipzig; Stuttgart (3) and Frankfurt. After a rest, Taylor returned to Pathfinder Force and was posted to 7 Squadron (Lancasters) at Oakington in October 1944. Taylor flew in at least 32 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Dusiburg (2); Wilhelmshaven; Stuttgart (2); Essen; Oberhausen; Gelsenkirchen; Dortmund; Wanne-Eickel; Freuberg; Karlsruhe; Osnabruck; Ulm; Koblenz; Ludwigshaven; Hanau; Leuna; Zeitz; Chemnitz (2); Dessau; Dortmund; Homberg; Hagen; Rheine; Hildesheim; Hamburg; Nordhausen; Harburg; Bayreuth and Bremen. After the war, Taylor’s subsequent postings included as part of the B.A.F.O. at R.A.F. Lubeck, Esche, and Wunsdorf. He was posted to A.H.Q. Hong Kong in September 1949, after which he spent several years posted at R.A.F. Technical College and at Air Electronics School, Hullavington. Taylor was appointed a Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1959, and a Member of the Institution of Electronic and Radio Engineers in 1960, becoming a Chartered Engineer in 1967. He served at H.Q.M.E.C., Aden, May 1964 - April 1966, advanced to Wing Commander and filled a number of engineering and communication roles including a posting on attachment to the Kenyan Armed Forces, 1968-1971. He retired in 1978, and moved to Brisbane, Australia. Sold with the following original related items and documents: 7 related miniature awards, mounted as originally worn; Royal Air Force Flying Log Book for Navigators Air Bombers Air Gunners Flight Engineers (20 February 1952 - 9 January 1981) including civilian entries, inside cover annotated ‘Certified that Volume I of Log Book was lost at No. 7 Sqdn, R.A.F. Oakington in June, 1945 as a result of a sudden posting at the end of the war’; Path Finder Force Badge Award Certificate, dated 7 April 1944, glazed and framed, with Path Finder Force Badge and Observer’s Brevet; D.F.C. Royal Mint case of issue; named Buckingham Palace enclosure for the award of the Bar to his D.F.C.; Second War Campaign Medal enclosure; a photograph of 7 Squadron, R.A.F. Oakington, April 1945, individually named, framed and glazed; 2 photographs of recipient in uniform from later life, and one group photograph including him which is glazed and framed; and a signed farewell card from R.A.F. Langenhagen.