Goldstraw & Goostrey - Honours &
Awards
The Order of the British Empire(Member)Bar: A silver emblem of two oak leaves is worn on the riband when the appointment to the Order is for Gallantry. Obverse: Until 1936, the badge contained a representation of Britannia with the motto "FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE" in a circle around her. The post 1936 (current) badge contains the conjoint bust of King George V and Queen Mary facing left with the motto "FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE" in a circle around them. Description: The badge is a cross patonce (four arms with three points at each end of a broad arm), with a crown on the top arm. The first three classes are of silver gilt, with the arms enamelled pearl grey; the OBE is of silver gilt; and the MBE is made of silver. The neck badges are 2 1/2" across and the breast badge is 2" across. Reverse: A rope circle with the Royal Cypher surmounted by a crown. Hallmarks on the lower limb. Mounting: Ring attached to the top of the Crown through which the ribbon passes. Ribbon:
Pilot Officer Herbert Eric Goldstraw, M.B.E. GOLDSTRAW, P/O Herbert Eric (J88659) (Royal Canadian
Air Force) In July 1944, a Halifax aircraft crashed at White Waltham on returning from operations and caught fire. Pilot Officer Goldstraw's aircraft had landed previously at the airfield and this officer, together with other members of his crew, as well as personnel of the ATA, immediately ran to the crashed aircraft. The unconscious rear gunner was lying partly in the turret and partly in the rear of the fuselage. The turret was jammed. Together with an ATA instructor, Pilot Officer Goldstraw, finding that the turret could not be swung back to release the rear gunner, owing to the position in which he was lying, entered the fuselage after forcing the normal entrance. At this time heat the starboard wing was blazing furiously and the heat was so intense that the starboard elevator burst into flames. It was necessary to remove the rear gunner's flying equipment before putting him back into the turret which could then be swung, thereby enabling helpers outside to extricate him. This gallant rescue was successfully accomplished in circumstances of great danger. Despite the flames and smoke, there was risk of the petrol tanks, bombs and ammunition exploding and, when the rear turret had been swung and the gunner passed to safety, exit was only possible through smoke and fumes. Pilot Officer Goldstraw showed courage and self-sacrifice in an action which undoubtedly was responsible for saving the life of a comrade. E. Walwyn Goldstraw Officer of the Order of the
British Empire Flt Lt Darren Andrew
Goldstraw (RAF) - MBE New Years
Honours 2004 (
Now Squadron Leader)
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