Coins & Banknotes Auction 355

Australia: 1947 Air Force Cross (AFC) to Pilot of Dakota Aircraft, Flying Officer (later Fl Lieut) E.T.W. HOLT, RAAF. Tasked with the transportation of the Prime Minister, Cabinet Officials & high ranking Military Officers throughout Australia & the SW Pacific area. AFC, GVIR, in its original box of issue. Reverse engraved officially: '1947'. Together with his unnamed as issued 1939-45 & Pacific Stars. Also included is the original, addressed box of issue for the latter & his original 1949 dated medal entitlement slip listing these & his AFC. Flight Lieutenant Eric Thomas Wallis Holt, born 1913, Alpha, Qld. Enl RAAF 17/8/41. Sgt Pilot 1942. W/OFF & Ops with 36 Sqn 1943/44. F/Off 1/11/44. To 1st Communication Unit 13/6/45. Morotai, Borneo, Lae etc from June 1945 to Mar 1946. Disch 6/6/46. AFC - awarded per London Gazette 12/6/47, p.2604 for Operations in 1945: 'HOLT, Eric Thomas Wallace, Flight Lieutenant (413384), 1 Communication Unit RAAF. Flight Lieutenant Holt has been Captain of a Dakota aircraft engaged in the transportation of very important persons & has completed 300 flying hours flying on these duties since June 1945. His aircraft has carried many Cabinet Ministers & high ranking army officers on important missions. Flight Lieutenant Hold has invariably displayed the utmost energy & efficiency on such flights & his manner & example have been an inspiration to his crew. During the Christmas period in 1945, he flew the Prime Minister of Australia on a tour of the Northern islands & during this time, showed a sense of responsibility which averted a possible serious accident. Flight Lieutenant Holt has completed a very large total of flying hours with the Royal Australian Air Force, 1700 of which have been in operational areas in difficult & hazardous circumstances. (LG 12/6/1947 p 2604). Also entitled 1939-45 War & Australia Service Medals. EF. Extremely scarce especially so with the Prime Minister & VIP Pilot connection. Only 146 AFC's awarded to RAAF 1939-50 (P)