An exceptional Second World War A.F.C. group of six awarded to Squadron Leader S. R. "Tummy' Sunnucks, Royal Navy & Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, the oldest pilot in WWII to be awarded the Airforce Cross, twice MiD, see description
A fine group of 6 to Squadron Leader S. R. Tummy Sunnuck, Royal Navy/ RAF
WW1 service in the Navy where he was Mentioned in Despatches for a rescue in a minefield off La Havre in March 1917.
He then transferred to the submarine service where he was again Mentioned in Despatches for his part in a spectacular sub on sub action in HMS E35.
He later joined the RAF in January 1944 when he was awarded the Airforce Cross. He was the oldest pilot in WW2 to be awarded the Cross.
With this group is also the group to Sergeant H. Hassan who he rescued in 1925 in a sea-plane.
See history, comes with log book, photos, and lots of history with this interesting person.
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Having gone to sea as a mercantile apprentice before the Great War, he served as a Midshipman R.N.R. in destroyers and won a mention for setting a very fine example to his ship's company in a daring rescue in a minefield off Le Havre in March 1917. He then transferred to the R.N. and submarines, gained the approbation of Naismith, V.C., and won second 'mention' for his part in a spectacular 'sub-on-sub' action in E.35 under Doyly-Hughes in May 1918
Further adventures ensued between the wars, including time as skipper of 'a small boat in Central Africa' and as a 'bush pilot' in Canada, but it was for his gallantry as an R.A.F. pilot at Calshot that he came to the attention of the British public at large, his most gallant rescue of fellow seaplane aircrew one night in August 1925 hitting the headlines. As it transpired, he was back in the news in January 1944 when, on being awarded the A.F.C. for his services in Coastal Command, the Air Ministry's press agency announced that he was the oldest pilot on regular flying duty: the recommendation for the award added that he was 'suffering from a wound received in the Great War.'
Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated 1944, with its Royal Mint case of issue; 1914-15 Star (MiD. S. R. Sunnucks, R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals, MiD oak leaf (Lieut. S. R. Sunnucks, R.N.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, MiD oak leaf, together with his Great War miniature dress medals, very fine or better (9).