A Malayan A.F.M. group of four to Sergeant J.C.Bowman, Royal Air Force,

Footnotes

A.F.M. London Gazette 21.3.1952.

Sergeant Bowman has served on this Unit for sixteen months. In addition to his technical responsibilities, he has taken part in 55 casualty evacuations and several special flights in helicopters involving 200 hours flying as crewman/technician. These flights have occasioned much discomfort, hard work and risk on his part. In the course of these flights he has been ambushed, has force landed six times, due to weather and several times has flown into small clearings deep in the jungle. Throughout his tour of duty, this airman's resourcefulness, initiative and courage have been an inspiration and, combined with his technical ability, have contributed largely to successes achieved by his Unit. His unfailing loyalty, keenness and ready acceptance of any task, have done much in cementing good relationships with Army Units based in the Federation of Malaya. His cheerfulness and bearing have enhanced the already high opinion held by these Units of the Royal Air Force. Sergeant Bowman has the dual responsibility of a N.C.O. aircraft fitter and crewman on the helicopters of the Casualty Evacuation Flights. Both of these duties he has completed with singular success. His flying tasks have called for courage and resourcefulness, and he has not been found wanting, even though the risks involved were always very apparent.

Sold with photocopy of the recommendation which states that he should have been recommended for a BEM, but this was downgraded to an AFM. "Consider BEM most appropriate for Sgt.Bowman. He has been required to fly in Helicopter to refuel service and correct snags on ground when operating from isolated Auster strips to which pilot lifts casualties from jungle clearings. BEM is the senior award and I am convinced that Bowmans good work deserves highest recognition".

A total of 35 Air Force Medals were awarded in 1952, with this being the only one for Malaya. (Abbot and Tamplin).

The lot includes a letter from the Central Chancery dated 9th July 1952 confirming the date of Investiture as 29th July 1952, together with a photocopied newspaper cutting, a quantity of photographs, assorted WW2 maps and a Cabaret Pass.

The newspaper cutting states that he made more than 50 flights as a member of the crew of a helicopter rescuing soldiers in the Malayan jungle. He had spent more than two and a half years in Malaya. Originally from Bramford in Ipswich he joined the RAF as a Boy Apprentice in 1937.