Lot 488
THE CANADIAN MEMORIAL CROSS & LOG BOOK etc of P O M L DAVIS.
A fascinating collection of ephemera and items relating to Pilot Officer Michael Ludlow Davis 159 Sqdn Royal Canadian Air Force. Service Number J/86883.
The son of Captain Herbert Ludlow and Olga Gwen Davis of Bombay India, aged 19 years. Lost with the entire crew in Daring Diana a B-24 Liberator, shot down and 'lost' for many years.
Michael enlisted a day after his 18th Birthday, in the Royal Canadian Air Force, straight from Boarding School. His father a Nautical advisor to the Government of India, also Controller of Indian Shipping. Michael had been sent to live with his Uncle and cousins in Canada, aged 16 years.
A natural gifted scholar and writer of poetry, he saw the chance of action sooner, if he ignored his qualifying for a Pilots course and became an Air Gunner. After training he arrived back in England in March 1943, proceeding to Harwell for final operational training. It was here he met and befriended his Pilot Allan Arnold, also fell in love, with his cousins Mary Lees friend, Sheila.
He was delighted when in October 1943 they received a posting to India, where the family were united again.
Assigned originally to 355 Sqdn, they later transferred to 159 Sqdn in January 1944. They flew together in Five Combat Missions, totalling 17.1/2 hrs airborne.
18 young men crew of the tow 159 Sdqn Bombers were downed over Rangoon on the 29th February 1944. Destroyed by two Japanese Fighter Planes, flown by Lt Hiroshi Takiguchi and W O Bunichi Yamaguchi. They worked in cooperation with Ground Searchlights, that blinded the Pilots and Crews prior to the attacks.
Poetry , Letters , Documents too many to list, are with the lot. A superb Pastel of a handsome young Michael in uniform, with AG wings some 17 1/2" x 15 " approx in an Oak Frame.
His Canadian Memorial Cross is named P O M L Davis J86883. His Log Book includes the letter dated 17/11/1947, forwarding it to his Mother.
His final mission on the 29th February 1944, states 'Failed to Return.'
A tremendous effort to find and locate the aircraft was made, it was a relative of a casualty from the USA who started things rolling. Related to Sjt C A G Plank, lost on the same aircraft, Matthew Poole travelled from the USA to find the graves of 7 unknown airmen.
Despite many efforts and little or no facts to act on, he persevered.
A Memorial Service for the Crews of Pegasus and Daring Diana, was attended at St Clements Danes Church, London on the 28th February 1998.
Attended by Families and ex Squadron Members, it was conducted by Sir Anthony Acland.
Copies of the Service and biographies of the lost airman, are with this lot.
Describes as handsome by those who knew him, his Portrait and photographs confirm it.
