In response to evolving domestic opinion, eMedals Inc has made the conscious decision to remove the presentation of German Third Reich historical artifacts from our online catalogue. For three decades, eMedals Inc has made an effort to preserve history in all its forms. As historians and researchers, we have managed sensitive articles and materials with the greatest of care and respect for their past and present social context. We acknowledge the growing sentiments put forth by the Canadian public and have taken proactive actions to address this opinion.
eMedals offers rapid domestic and international shipping. Orders received prior to 12:00pm (EST) will be shipped on the same business day.* Orders placed on Canadian Federal holidays will be dispatched the subsequent business day. Courier tracking numbers are provided for all shipments. All items purchased from eMedals can be returned for a full monetary refund or merchandise credit, providing the criteria presented in our Terms & Conditions are met. *Please note that the addition of a COA may impact dispatch time.
Shipping Details
eMedals offers rapid domestic and international shipping. Orders received prior to 12:00pm (EST) will be shipped on the same business day.* Orders placed on Canadian Federal holidays will be dispatched the subsequent business day. Courier tracking numbers are provided for all shipments. All items purchased from eMedals can be returned for a full monetary refund or merchandise credit, providing the criteria presented in our Terms & Conditions are met. *Please note that the addition of a COA may impact dispatch time.
Description
An 1944 RCAF DFC Group for JU-88 Kill - Distinguished Flying Cross, GRVI (engraved "1944" on the reverse); 1939-1945 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-1945; and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp. Un-mounted, residue on the reverse of the original ribbons from previous board mounting, spots on the obverse of the WM, light contact, near extremely fine. Accompanied by his Flying Log Book (with entries dated from October 9, 1943 to September 3, 1945), RCAF Officer's Cap Badge (silver and gold-coloured bullion with red and green embroidery maroon felt in the crown, gilt metal eagle between the crown and wreath, on black wool, padded, 67 mm x 72 mm), RCAF Cap Badge (bronze, 39 mm x 44 mm), two Air Gunner Wings (one RCAF, three-colour embroidery on black wool, 49 mm x 101.5 mm; one RAF, two-colour embroidery on black wool, 37.5 mm x 97 mm), two CANADA Shoulder Flashes (light blue embroidery on bluish-gray wool, 20 mm x 78 mm each), one Pair of Flight Lieutenant Slip-On Shoulder Rank Insignia (light blue and black embroidered stripes on bluish-gray wool, 64 mm x 136 mm each), General Service Badge (sterling silver, marked "STERLING", maker marked BMCo" and numbered "437412" on the reverse, 15.3 mm x 22.5 mm, screwback), RCAF Reserve Badge (silvered bronze, maker marked "BIRKS" on the reverse, 23.5 mm x 23.5 mm, screwback) and twelve RCAF Buttons (brass, eight Large: maker marked "J R GAUNT MONTREAL", 22.8 mm each; two Medium: maker marked "FIRMIN LONDON", 17.5 mm each; two Small: maker marked "UNITED-CARR CANADA", 16.3 mm each), in addition to assorted research papers.Footnote: William Robert Cornell was a resident of Kitchener, Ontario when he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force in London, Ontario on October 30, 1942. He was trained at No. 4 Initial Training School in Edmonton, Alberta, graduating on April 7, 1943. He followed that up with a posting to No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School in Portage-La-Prairie, Manitoba, accruing a total flight time of 23:55, graduating on November 26, 1943 and qualifying as an Air Gunner. Once in the United Kingdom, J90498 Air Gunner William R. Cornell was posted to No. 431 Squadron. The squadron was formed on November 11, 1942 with Vickers Wellington Mk Xs at Burn as part of No. 4 Group, Bomber Command, and commenced night raids with a "Gardening" mission on May 2, 1943. In July, the squadron moved to Tholthorpe, joining No. 6 (RCAF) Bomber Group and re-equipping with Handley Page Halifax Mk Vs. It was soon operational with this type again in the night offensive against Germany, flying farther a field as the longer winter nights permitted. At the end of 1943, the squadron moved again, to Croft in County Durham, where it began to re-equip with Halifax Mk IIIs in March 1944, maintaining the operational offensive all the while. These were used for seven months until the production of Canadian-built Avro Lancaster Mk Xs was sufficient to enable the squadron to re-equip with this type. Lancasters were used for the remainder of the Second World War in Europe, the last of the squadron's 3,000 or more sorties being flown with them on April 25, 1945 in a daylight raid on Wangerooge. Between March 5, 1944 and May 2, 1945, Cornell flew numerous training missions, along with thirty-six operational missions with No. 431 Squadron aboard Wellington III, Wellington X, Halifax III, Halifax V and Lancaster X aircraft. This included targets throughout France, including Houlgate, Paris, Le Mans, St. Pol, Bamieres, Foret D'Eawt, Vileneuve St. George, Siracourt, Caen, L'Hey, Bois de Cassan, St. Leu d'Esserent, South Caen, Foret de Chantilly, Acquet, Falaise and Calais, in addition to a 5:25 return flight to Coutances, on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He also flew missions to Bergen (Norway) and Stuttgart (twice), Hamburg, Bremen, Brest, Julich, Duisberg, Osnabruck, Dusseldorf, Hanover, Goch, Chemnitz, Cologne and Dortmund (Germany). Cornell was awarded his Distinguished Flying Cross, effective May 10, 1945, as per the Supplement to the London Gazette, page 2670, dated May 25, 1945 and AFRO 1291/45, dated August 10, 1945: "Throughout many operational sorties, this officer has displayed a fine fighting spirit and outstanding enthusiasm to engage the enemy wherever possible. His cool, determined manner has done much to inspire the confidence in his crew. On December 6th 1944, when returning from an attack against Osnabruck, his aircraft was engaged by a JU88 (Junkers 88). Pilot Officer Cornell opened fire on the attacker and by the fine handling of his guns, drove it off after inflicting considerable damage (probably destroyed). His work has at all times set a sterling example to the rest of the squadron." In the book, "A Yorkshire Squadron - HIstory of 431 RCAF Squadron, 1942-45", it describes the full exploits on what happened to the Squadron the night Cornell won his DFC: "Thirteen Lancasters were readied and crews were briefed for an operation to Osnabruck on December 6th. S/L Kay went on this trip as second Dickie in SE-Q KB808 with S/L at the helm. The Squadron mascot "Minnie Simcoe" flew her 10th sortie, this time in SE-O captained by F/L Adilman. Only 12 of the thirteen aircraft detailed managed to get away as F/L Tonnellier and crew in SE-A KB 773 were scrubbed because they couldn't get the aircraft bombed up in time. After flying for an average of 3 to 3 1/2 hours 431 Squadron aircraft were over the target finding it covered by 10/10ths cloud. All crews made their bomb run either on Gee or by D.R. run or pinpointed the target by means of the glow from the attack on the clouds or a combination thereof. Although many fires and explosions were observed, no actual detail was visible to assess, the attack was considered scattered. F/L Adilman in SE-Q abandoned the asssignment at 54.00N - 01.25e, 16.57 hours and was back on the ground at Croft only having been airborne for approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. It was discovered that the oxygen equipment in the rear turret was unserviceable and after checking the oxygen line without solving the problem the Skipper decided to return to base. Their full bomb load of 20 x 500lb bombs was jettisoned safe at 54.32N - 01.09E 17.25 hours. S/L Smith had a problem with bombs hanging up and had to jettison 3 x 500lb bombs at various points on the homeward track all finding their way into the North Sea, the last one finding its grave just 1 hour before touching down at Croft. In addition to his bomb hang up problems S/L Smith's aircraft was attacked by a JU88 at 22.00 hours again on the homeward leg. The enemy aircraft came in from the port quarter while the Lancaster was in level flight at 16,000 feet, the Mid Upper Air Gunner, P/O R. Cornell gave two short bursts and the Rear Gunner, P/O G. Supergia got off five long bursts with a starboard corkscrew was called for and executed. Hits were seen on the port engine of the JU88 with considerable fire coming from it. The fighter disappeared below the clouds and was not seen again, a claim of probably destroyed made. From this operation, four aircraft belonging to 6 Group are missing, all aircraft on charge to 431 Squadron returned to base." In June 1945, the squadron crossed the Atlantic and settled in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, disbanding on September 5, 1945. Cornell was presented his award on July 27, 1949 in Hamilton, Ontario.
An 1944 RCAF DFC Group for JU-88 Kill - Distinguished Flying Cross, GRVI (engraved "1944" on the reverse); 1939-1945 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-1945; and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp. Un-mounted, residue on the reverse of the original ribbons from previous board mounting, spots on the obverse of the WM, light contact, near extremely fine. Accompanied by his Flying Log Book (with entries dated from October 9, 1943 to September 3, 1945), RCAF Officer's Cap Badge (silver and gold-coloured bullion with red and green embroidery maroon felt in the crown, gilt metal eagle between the crown and wreath, on black wool, padded, 67 mm x 72 mm), RCAF Cap Badge (bronze, 39 mm x 44 mm), two Air Gunner Wings (one RCAF, three-colour embroidery on black wool, 49 mm x 101.5 mm; one RAF, two-colour embroidery on black wool, 37.5 mm x 97 mm), two CANADA Shoulder Flashes (light blue embroidery on bluish-gray wool, 20 mm x 78 mm each), one Pair of Flight Lieutenant Slip-On Shoulder Rank Insignia (light blue and black embroidered stripes on bluish-gray wool, 64 mm x 136 mm each), General Service Badge (sterling silver, marked "STERLING", maker marked BMCo" and numbered "437412" on the reverse, 15.3 mm x 22.5 mm, screwback), RCAF Reserve Badge (silvered bronze, maker marked "BIRKS" on the reverse, 23.5 mm x 23.5 mm, screwback) and twelve RCAF Buttons (brass, eight Large: maker marked "J R GAUNT MONTREAL", 22.8 mm each; two Medium: maker marked "FIRMIN LONDON", 17.5 mm each; two Small: maker marked "UNITED-CARR CANADA", 16.3 mm each), in addition to assorted research papers.Footnote: William Robert Cornell was a resident of Kitchener, Ontario when he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force in London, Ontario on October 30, 1942. He was trained at No. 4 Initial Training School in Edmonton, Alberta, graduating on April 7, 1943. He followed that up with a posting to No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School in Portage-La-Prairie, Manitoba, accruing a total flight time of 23:55, graduating on November 26, 1943 and qualifying as an Air Gunner. Once in the United Kingdom, J90498 Air Gunner William R. Cornell was posted to No. 431 Squadron. The squadron was formed on November 11, 1942 with Vickers Wellington Mk Xs at Burn as part of No. 4 Group, Bomber Command, and commenced night raids with a "Gardening" mission on May 2, 1943. In July, the squadron moved to Tholthorpe, joining No. 6 (RCAF) Bomber Group and re-equipping with Handley Page Halifax Mk Vs. It was soon operational with this type again in the night offensive against Germany, flying farther a field as the longer winter nights permitted. At the end of 1943, the squadron moved again, to Croft in County Durham, where it began to re-equip with Halifax Mk IIIs in March 1944, maintaining the operational offensive all the while. These were used for seven months until the production of Canadian-built Avro Lancaster Mk Xs was sufficient to enable the squadron to re-equip with this type. Lancasters were used for the remainder of the Second World War in Europe, the last of the squadron's 3,000 or more sorties being flown with them on April 25, 1945 in a daylight raid on Wangerooge. Between March 5, 1944 and May 2, 1945, Cornell flew numerous training missions, along with thirty-six operational missions with No. 431 Squadron aboard Wellington III, Wellington X, Halifax III, Halifax V and Lancaster X aircraft. This included targets throughout France, including Houlgate, Paris, Le Mans, St. Pol, Bamieres, Foret D'Eawt, Vileneuve St. George, Siracourt, Caen, L'Hey, Bois de Cassan, St. Leu d'Esserent, South Caen, Foret de Chantilly, Acquet, Falaise and Calais, in addition to a 5:25 return flight to Coutances, on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He also flew missions to Bergen (Norway) and Stuttgart (twice), Hamburg, Bremen, Brest, Julich, Duisberg, Osnabruck, Dusseldorf, Hanover, Goch, Chemnitz, Cologne and Dortmund (Germany). Cornell was awarded his Distinguished Flying Cross, effective May 10, 1945, as per the Supplement to the London Gazette, page 2670, dated May 25, 1945 and AFRO 1291/45, dated August 10, 1945: "Throughout many operational sorties, this officer has displayed a fine fighting spirit and outstanding enthusiasm to engage the enemy wherever possible. His cool, determined manner has done much to inspire the confidence in his crew. On December 6th 1944, when returning from an attack against Osnabruck, his aircraft was engaged by a JU88 (Junkers 88). Pilot Officer Cornell opened fire on the attacker and by the fine handling of his guns, drove it off after inflicting considerable damage (probably destroyed). His work has at all times set a sterling example to the rest of the squadron." In the book, "A Yorkshire Squadron - HIstory of 431 RCAF Squadron, 1942-45", it describes the full exploits on what happened to the Squadron the night Cornell won his DFC: "Thirteen Lancasters were readied and crews were briefed for an operation to Osnabruck on December 6th. S/L Kay went on this trip as second Dickie in SE-Q KB808 with S/L at the helm. The Squadron mascot "Minnie Simcoe" flew her 10th sortie, this time in SE-O captained by F/L Adilman. Only 12 of the thirteen aircraft detailed managed to get away as F/L Tonnellier and crew in SE-A KB 773 were scrubbed because they couldn't get the aircraft bombed up in time. After flying for an average of 3 to 3 1/2 hours 431 Squadron aircraft were over the target finding it covered by 10/10ths cloud. All crews made their bomb run either on Gee or by D.R. run or pinpointed the target by means of the glow from the attack on the clouds or a combination thereof. Although many fires and explosions were observed, no actual detail was visible to assess, the attack was considered scattered. F/L Adilman in SE-Q abandoned the asssignment at 54.00N - 01.25e, 16.57 hours and was back on the ground at Croft only having been airborne for approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. It was discovered that the oxygen equipment in the rear turret was unserviceable and after checking the oxygen line without solving the problem the Skipper decided to return to base. Their full bomb load of 20 x 500lb bombs was jettisoned safe at 54.32N - 01.09E 17.25 hours. S/L Smith had a problem with bombs hanging up and had to jettison 3 x 500lb bombs at various points on the homeward track all finding their way into the North Sea, the last one finding its grave just 1 hour before touching down at Croft. In addition to his bomb hang up problems S/L Smith's aircraft was attacked by a JU88 at 22.00 hours again on the homeward leg. The enemy aircraft came in from the port quarter while the Lancaster was in level flight at 16,000 feet, the Mid Upper Air Gunner, P/O R. Cornell gave two short bursts and the Rear Gunner, P/O G. Supergia got off five long bursts with a starboard corkscrew was called for and executed. Hits were seen on the port engine of the JU88 with considerable fire coming from it. The fighter disappeared below the clouds and was not seen again, a claim of probably destroyed made. From this operation, four aircraft belonging to 6 Group are missing, all aircraft on charge to 431 Squadron returned to base." In June 1945, the squadron crossed the Atlantic and settled in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, disbanding on September 5, 1945. Cornell was presented his award on July 27, 1949 in Hamilton, Ontario.
To begin the sale of your item(s), in house experts will need to carry out an initial evaluation to judge how to proceed in the sale. Here, we will determine the authenticity as well as the approximate value of the item(s) using images and descriptions.
Initial Evaluation
In order to better assess how to proceed with your sale, an initial evaluation must be completed of your items. A quick and simple method, upload multiple images of your item(s) using our online submission form with any relevant comments. This form can be found below. Otherwise, we are happy to assess your item(s) by email, phone, or in office.
In House Assessment
Once we have completed an initial evaluation, you will be contacted by an eMedals representative, either by email or phone, to discuss shipment. All items offered on eMedals.com are subject to in house inspection and evaluation prior to listing. This process is to ensure all items offered are authentic, described correctly, properly researched, and listed using professionally photography.
Shipment of Your Item(s)
To ship your item(s), please ensure that each item is packed carefully and securely. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the shipment process, including those about methods, customs, insurance, please contact our general inbox info@emedals.comfor immediate assistance.
Shipping Address: 3245 Harvester RoadUnit 15Burlington, OntarioL7N 3T7 Canada
Offer
eMedals is happy to directly purchase medals and militaria from both the public and collectors alike. Here, once an item(s) has been assessed using images, delivered to our office and inspected, a purchase offer is then made. If accepted, payment is made in a timely fashion making an eMedals purchase a prompt transaction.
Close
Bid History
Item : C1650
A 1944 431 Squadron Distinguished Flying Cross For Ju-88 Kill
Bidder
Amount
Submitted
Buyer's Premium
All winning bids are subject to a Buyer's Premium of 22% which is in addition to the final hammer price.