Tag Archives: framed

I have for sale a rare and interesting set of original WWII medals awarded to Sgt David Stanley Freir, including the hard to come by Air Crew Europe Star and an extremely rare Golfish Club badge, also some photos and paperwork including a copy of his service record. In the squadron photo David is second row down 5th from left. I was very fortunate to acquire this interesting set direct from the family, I’m also very proud to have know the individual all be it when I was just a boy. Sgt David Stanley Freir or Sandy. “I presume a Scottish corruption of Stanley” as he was commonly known. He was also known as The Wing Commander, however after some research I have found that this was just an affectionate title. Here is what I know but more research is required to fill in the early days of his service. David qualified in the Officers Training Corps “interestingly for the infantry” on the 10th November 1931, original certificate included in sale. W “Initial Training Wings” Hastings then to H. C next was No 9 F. S “Flight Training School” next No 12 F. S next to 17 O. U “Operational Training Unit” then to 21 Squadron. Early in the proceedings David was promoted to Sergeant which was the lowest rank allowed to pilot an aircraft. By 1941 Sgt David Stanley Freir was serving as a pilot with 21 Sqn based at RAF Luqa on Malta. Flying a Bristol Blenheim light bomber they were in the main attacking Axis convoys supplying Rommel’s Afrika Corps in the North African campaign. It was on one such an attack on the 12th March 1941 at aproximately 12.40pm just off the Island of Pantalleria David’s aircraft was hit by flack, seriously injuring him and destroying one engine, the other engine failed shortly afterwards forcing them to ditch at sea. David’s own words from his ditching details, We were in the water for about 90 minutes before being rescued by a RN Gunboat equipped with Rum!! all survived but David’s injuries were so severe he was no longer able to fly and was discharged unfit for duty in the same year. He served for 2 years and 248 days unfortunately I can’t find out what he flew and where, early in his service. I was told he also flew fighter aircraft including the spitfire and he was in the Fleet Air Arm but I cannot verify this. He was also a very proud member of the goldfish club and was one of the very few pilots to reapply for membership in after all previous records were destroyed. David went on to work as a civil servant in Africa for the rest of his working life hence the silver Elizabeth II coronation medal 1953. I will try and answer any questions to the best of my knowledge. The item “WWII Campaign set including Air Crew Europe Star court mounted and framed” is in sale since Thursday, April 30, 2020. This item is in the category “Collectables\Militaria\World War II (1939-1945)\Medals/ Ribbons”. The seller is “cazza1905″ and is located in Dornoch. This item can be shipped to United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Australia, United States, Bahrain, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, China, Israel, Hong Kong, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Bolivia, Barbados, Brunei darussalam, Cayman islands, Egypt, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, French guiana, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Macao, Monaco, Maldives, Martinique, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Saudi arabia, South africa, United arab emirates, Ukraine, Bahamas, Colombia, Jamaica, Kuwait, Panama, Qatar, Uruguay.

• Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
• Country/ Organization: Great Britain
• Type: Medals & Ribbons
• Conflict: World War II (1939-1945)
• Service: Air Force
• Era: 1914-1945