Bidspirit auction | WW2 RAF Cmdr Neil W

WW2 RAF Cmdr Neil W Thomas, Capt Michael G Haworth signed The Award of the DSC to Airmen Jersey 1 Jun 83 WW2 FDC. Captain Haworth entered the Royal Navy College, Dartmouth in 1927 and graduated as a Midshipman in 1931. His first ship was HMS Valiant which became involved in the Invergordon Mutiny in 1931. Thereafter he served aboard HMS Warspite 1932-33, HMS Hawkins 1933-34. In 1934 he took the Sub-Lieutenant's Courses and was posted to HMS Sardonyx 1935-36 and HMS Danae which served as a guardship in Shanghai during the Japanese invasion. In 1938 he took the Air Observer's Course and after gaining his wings was posted to the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious in 1939. In 1940 he joined No.826 Naval Air Squadron which was disembarked under RAF operational control for the bombing of invasion posts and shipping during the Battle of Britain. In 1941 he joined HMS Formidable in the Western Mediterranean and took part in the Battle of Cape Matapan and many other operations against the Italians and Germans, including the evacuation of Crete. Then his squadron was disembarked to fly under RAF operational control in the Western Desert on night bombing support for the 8th Army. During 1942 he served aboard HMS Furious and took part in Operation Pedestal for the relief of Malta. Later in the year he was involved in the planning for Operation Torch - the invasion of North Africa - and Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. For the remainder of 1942 and throughout 1943 he served on the planning Staff of SACSEA in the Far East Station. He was then posted to HMS Triumph for the rest of the war. Post-war he had several senior positions, including command of HMS Aisne and HMS Diamond, retiring in 1965. He died on 9th May 1999. Neil Thomas British cadet trained as electrical weapons engineer officer at Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and Royal Naval College, Greenwich in GB, 1963-1965; officer trained as pilot at No 1 Flying Training School, RAF at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and Advanced Flying Training Unit, Fleet Air Arm at HMS Goldcrest, Royal Naval Air Station Brawdy in GB, 1965-1967; served with 899 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm at HMS Heron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, GB, 1967-1969; served with 892 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm at HMS Heron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, GB and aboard HMS Ark Royal in GB coastal waters, Mediterranean and North Atlantic, 1969-1971; served as flying instructor with Royal Navy Elementary Flying Training School at RAF Church Fenton, GB, 1971-1973; served with 892 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm at HMS Heron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, GB and aboard HMS Ark Royal in Mediterranean and Atlantic, 1973-1975; served aboard HMS Glamorgan on World Cruise, 1975-1976; served as instructor with Phantom Training Flight, RAF at RAF Leuchars, GB, 1976-1978; served as staff officer with Maritime Tactical School at HMS Dryad, Southwick, GB, 1978-1979; commanded 899 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm in GB, 1979-1982; seconded to 800 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm aboard HMS Hermes during Falklands War in South Atlantic, 4/1982; commanded 899 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm aboard HMS Hermes during Falklands War in South Atlantic, 4/1982-6/1982 and in GB, 1982-1983; officer served on Admiral's Staff at HMS Heron, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, GB, 1983-1987; served as staff officer with Directorate of Operational Requirements (Sea) at Ministry of Defence, London, GB, 1987-1989; served as Commander Air aboard HMS Ark Royal in GB coastal waters and North Atlantic, 1990-1991; served as Staff Aviation Officer at HMS Heron, Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton, GB, 1991-1992; served as naval air attaché in South Korea, 1992-1996; student with Defence College, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in Rome, Italy, 1997; served as Deputy Commander and Commander of Air Warning Force, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in Mons, Belgium, 1997-2000. Good condition Est.