Medal Grouping to F/Lt W. J. P. Baldwin RAFVR

On offer is a scarce fully attributed WWII medal grouping, dog tags and Air Gunners brevet, named to Flight Lieutenant William John Pel Baldwin. Whilst this officer's service history remains largely unresearched, it fortunately includes a period (undated) newspaper clipping that gives a synopsis of William Baldwin's WWII career. He initially joined the Bucks Territorials in May 1939 and served with the 2nd Bucks Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light infantry, until February 1941 when he transferred to the RAF. He trained as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and was promoted to Warrant Officer. Posted to North Africa in November 1942 he completed a full tour serving in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy. Following the successful conclusion of his tour he was posted to a training role. We have also established Balwin survived the war (unlike c.55,000 of his colleagues in Bomber Command) and was awarded a Mention in Despatches in the Kings New Year Honours of 1946, when he was listed as a Flight Lieutenant.

Baldwin's medal grouping, which is in fine condition and unnamed as issued, is made up of a 1939-45 Star with Clasp, awarded to the aircrew of Bomber Command who served for at least sixty days, or completed a tour of operations, on a Bomber Command operational unit and who flew at least one operational sortie. The award of the Clasp is denoted by a silver rose Emblem when the ribbon alone is worn, one pin back example is included. Next, we have his North Africa Star with 1942–43 Clasp, awarded for service with the Royal Air Force in specified areas from 23rd October 1942 to 12th May 1943 inclusive. This is followed by the Italy Star, the Defence Medal and the 1939-1945 War Medal with the Mention in Despatches Oak Leaf attached, awarded as detailed above.

In addition to his medal grouping, we also have both his fibre Dog Tags, named to W. J. P. Baldwin, 'OFFR' (Officer) and 'CONG ' (religion Congregationalist).According to the newspaper clipping Baldwin's father, a retired Police Officer was the Hon Secretary of the Cores End congregational Church. The dog tags also detail F/Lt Baldwin's Officer's service number 179158. Finally, we have the original Air Ministry box that contained Baldwin's medal and addressed to him at his (or his parents?) residence "Holmleigh", Bourne End, Bucks, as final picture attached (by courtesy of Rightmove! which shows his home as it is today. Whilst the despatch date is not entirely clear this seems to read March '49

A very good grouping that warrants further research. If any visitors to the site can add details of Baldwin's squadron, aircraft flown and Ops flown we would be happy to update our listing but believe we have sufficient details already for further detective work. With additional research the group deserves to be mounted and display framed.