THE OUTSTANDING WW2 D.F.C. AND M.I.D. GROUP TO A BEAUFIGHTER AND MOSQUITO NIGHT FIGHTER PILOT OF WHO CLAIMED 4 CONFIRMED VICTORIES AND 1 DAMAGED 1943-44, LATER FLYING SORTIES OVER THE BATTLE AREA DURING OPERATION MARKET GARDEN AND ANTI V-1 FLYING BOMBS OPS IN DEFENCE OF THE UK, HE WAS AWARDED THE QUEEN’S COMMENDATION FOR VALUABLE SERVICES IN THE AIR IN 1957, DURING THE INDONESIAN–MALAYSIAN CONFRONTATION OF 1963–1966 (BORNEO OPERATIONS), HE WAS ONE OF THE PILOTS INVOLVED IN COVERT FLIGHTS INTO HOSTILE JUNGLE TERRITORY, FLYING THE SINGLE-ENGINE VERSION OF THE SCOTTISH AVIATION PIONEER AIRCRAFT IN SUPPORT OF BRITISH SPECIAL FORCES ACTIONS

DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, G.VI.R., THE REVERSE OFFICIALLY DATED ‘1944’; 1939-45 STAR; AIR CREW EUROPE STAR, CLASP, FRANCE AND GERMANY; AFRICA STAR, CLASP, NORTH AFRICA 1942-43; ITALY STAR; WAR MEDAL 1939-45, M.I.D. OAK LEAF; GENERAL SERVICE 1962, CLASP, BORNEO ‘FLT. LT. K T. A. O’SULLIVAN. R.A.F.’

D.F.C. London Gazette 15 August 1944. The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘Flying Officer O’Sullivan has been a Night Operational Pilot for 23 months and during that period he has destroyed four enemy aircraft by night, and damaged one by day. This officer’s keenness to seek out and destroy the enemy, and his constant efforts to improve his already high operational ability have been an outstanding example to the rest of the unit. Whilst serving with No. 255 Squadron in North Africa, this officer damaged a He. 111 on 13 April 1943, destroyed a He. 111 on 11 May 1943 and destroyed two Ju. 88s on 27 May 1943. Since returning to this country, he has destroyed a Ju. 88 over the south coast whilst serving in this unit [No. 125 Squadron].’

Mention in despatches London Gazette 1 January 1946.

Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air London Gazette 1 January 1957.

Flight Lieutenant Kevin Thomas Anthony ‘Incendiary’ O’Sullivan, was born in Tooting, London on 29 December 1920 and after leaving school became a Shipping Clerk, before enlisting into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in January 1940. Selected for pilot training, he attended elementary and advanced flying schools and in December 1941 was posted to 255 Squadron, a Beaufighter Night Fighter unit operating out of Coltishall. Initially equipped Beaufighter MkII s, in March 1942 they were reequipped with the more powerful MK VIF’s, the squadron being ordered to the Middle East in November 1942. Continuing their role as night fighters, 255 also started Intruder Operations and it was over North Africa that O’Sullivan and radio-navigator Flight Sergeant W. G. Hood, flew with considerable success., O’Sullivan earning the nickname ‘Incendiary’ due to his habit of setting fire to enemy aircraft!

BEAUFIGHTER NIGHT FIGHTERS IN NORTH AFRICA

Into action pretty much immediately, on 24 November, O’Sullivan was involved in a friendly fire incident in which his Beaufighter was “hit by gunfire from HM Ships, resulting in a Perspex splinter temporarily blinding the pilot in one eye. O’Sullivan managed to crash-land in a thunderstorm after being shepherded home wingtip-to-wingtip by Squadron Leader Player”……

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Condition GVF, Ex DNW/Noonans June 2006. Note QCVSA emblem subsequently added to the GSM ribbon. Sold with a comprehensive file of research including DFC recommendation, combat reports, LG, birth/death certificate etc. Also digital copies of 125 Squadron’s Operational logs 1944-45.

An outstanding and very scarce night fighter pilots group with at least 4 confirmed aerial victories.