Lot 953
953
A Second World War D.F.C. Group of Six to Flight Lieutenant R.W. Long, Royal Canadian Air Force, Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1944', in Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence Medal 1939-45, silver; Canadian Voluntary Service 1939-45, with Overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, silver, extremely fine, together with related Memorial Cross, the reverse officially inscribed, 'F.L. R.W. Long, D.F.C., J18760', in case of issue (7)
A Second World War D.F.C. Group of Six to Flight Lieutenant R.W. Long, Royal Canadian Air Force, Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1944', in Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence Medal 1939-45, silver; Canadian Voluntary Service 1939-45, with Overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, silver, extremely fine, together with related Memorial Cross, the reverse officially inscribed, 'F.L. R.W. Long, D.F.C., J18760', in case of issue (7)

Details
A Second World War D.F.C. Group of Six to Flight Lieutenant R.W. Long, Royal Canadian Air Force, Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1944', in Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence Medal 1939-45, silver; Canadian Voluntary Service 1939-45, with Overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, silver, extremely fine, together with related Memorial Cross, the reverse officially inscribed, 'F.L. R.W. Long, D.F.C., J18760', in case of issue (7)

Lot Essay

Sold with wartime portrait photographs, contemporary R.C.A.F. uniform Wings and a Path Finder's Badge.

D.F.C. London Gazette 14.11.1944. Recommendation states
'This Officer is an outstanding Pilot and Captain now on his second tour of operations. The majority of the sorties carried out by Flight Lieutenant Long have been directed against heavily-defended enemy targets, but he has never been deterred from pressing home his attacks to the full, thereby setting a fine personal example to his crew. His airmanship and leadership are above reproach and have had a salutary effect on all Pilots in this Squadron less-experienced than himself. Strongly recommended for the non-immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross'.

Flight Lieutenant Ronald Walter Long, D.F.C., had completed 41 operational sorties by the time of the above Recommendation. Operating with No. 405 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron of No. 8 Path Finder Group, his targets included Berlin on four occasions, Stuttgart thrice and a number of French locations in the period May-July 1944. Tragically he was killed in action in a raid on the night of 14-15.9.1944. Long, who was from Windsor, Ontario and aged 24 years, is buried in Esbjerg (Fourfelt) Cemetery, Denmark.