WWII Aircrew Europe Star grouping. Flt Lt Whiteside. Derby. Bomb aimer, Wellingtons, 192 (Special) Squadron RAF

WWII group to include 1939-45 Star, Aircrew Europe Star, Defence & War Medals.

Awarded to Flight Lieutenant AE Whiteside.

Alfred Edward was born to David and Annie in January 1917 in Derby.

In 1921, we find the family living at 95 Franchise Street in Derby.

In 1939, we find them at 21 Woodthorne Avenue in Derby with Alfred working as a clerk.

Alfred enlisted in July 1940.

He applied for a temporary commission and was commissioned in 1942.

He is on the list for navigators from March 1943 until April 1945.

The group comes with some research and from this we see him qualify as a bomb aimer.

The papers are difficult to read but we see he started at 222 Squadron (RAF Duxford).

He was later to serve with 192 (Special) Squadron.

The squadron was re-formed on 4 January 1943 when No 1474 Flight at RAF Gransden Lodge was re-numbered 192 (Special) Squadron. The squadron operated specially modified Vickers Wellingtons and de Havilland Mosquitos to identify German radar patterns and wavelengths. It also carried out similar missions over the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean. In April 1943 the squadron moved to RAF Feltwell in Norfolk and at the end of the year moved again to RAF Foulsham to operate with 100 (Bomber Support) Group. During bomber raids the aircraft would provide countermeasures against German radars. The squadron disbanded at the end of the Second World War on 22 August 1945 to form the basis of the Central Signals Establishment and the Radio Warfare Establishment.

He was to marry Joan Iris Morley in May 1943.

Alfred died in April 1968.

The lot includes his medals complete with original silk ribbons as well as the delivery box and the ‘seldom found’ ticker tape confirming the awards. The delivery box has the address of his father.
Also some named swimming awards as well as the Air Council slip and a nice small photograph of Alfred.

This group has potential for much further research, a nice original lot, please see through the photos.