WW2 RAFVR Medal Group SEAC 736 Forecast Centre & Kuala Lumpar

For sale is an impressive WW2 Royal Air Force volunteer reserve medal and paperwork grouping belonging to 1632715 Corporal John Ernest Herbert RAFVR. Where he served in And with the south East Asia Command, where he served as a meteorologist in the RAFVR from the dates 10.07.1942 until 28.04.1946, John was born 11.03.1908. He lived at the following address during Ww2 123 woodland drive Watford Herts. 

Throughout the majority of the war he was stationed and served at the South East Asia Command, 721 & 736 forecast centre. (Most of the handwritten letters are from his time here).

For the majority of post war whist serving he served at the RAF station Kuala lumpar. (a good deal of raf station Kuala Lumpar paperwork).

This grouping contains but not limited to:

1. WW2 RAF Royal Air Force service and release book 

2. An original Austin Reed LTD London Silk Personalised initial Tassel Scarf with a note dated 1935 stating this is a Christmas gift. This gift is boxed with original tissue wrap and Santa Christmas paper. 

3. A 1942 British army broad arrow marked pocket tool. 

4. Ww2 medal box air ministry s7d London W.C.2 to J. Herbert Esc, 123 woodland drive Watford, with original medal packets.

5. His Ww2 medals including British war medal, British defence medal and the Burma star. I believe the 1939-45 star is missing. 

6. His h.m king Edward 1937 coronation medal west minster abbey medal

7. His medal bar of 1939-45 star & Burma medal bar, badge bar. 

8. His RAF compressed fibre dog tags with necklace string that state: “1632715 Herbert CE RAF” and “do not remove” on the backs.

9. His large baby photograph in a large circular wooden frame.

10. His silver hallmarked christening cup given to John Ernest (Jack) Herbert. Silver hallmarked Birmingham, 1906, Henry Williamson Ltd. Accompanying this is a beautifully hand written Poem that states: “ To "Jackie" Herbert at his christening: This little gift conveys a wish, "May you no blessing lack, "But all the joys that Meau'n affords Be yours my little Jack." If of the old black you're a chip and see as many mond. This little gift will prove the first of many other spoons. So follow in your fatherb footsteps You'll find that that's the tack And be a "sport" in all My little bouncing Jack. Then all good luck go with you May you ne'er know reverse This heartfelt wish I give you now Your loving God- -pa "Perc". April.19.1908. 

11. Over 120 sets of hand written letters, letter numbers 1 to 80, first letter dated 08/03/1929 with the majority dated 29/12/1944 and the final letter dated 13/04/1946

12. A large selection of paperwork throughout his life, most of which is wartime and whilst he was serving with the RAF. Etc 

Some Of the more interesting Paperwork pieces included in this grouping belonging to John Ernest Herbert, there is more than what’s stated here but there is just to much to list! 

1. A pair of Johns British citizen passports one for 1963 and one for 1985 

2. Ww2 blue material textured raf airman’s service book. 

3. John Ernest Herbert 11 March 1907 to 22nd February at Luke’s church Watford 3rd March 1994 funeral service programme and newspaper cuttings of his death.

4. His ww2 British Royal Air Force portrait in uniform photograph in card cover.

5. His Ww2 extra tea ministry of food ration 

6. His WW2 Royal Air Force form 295B Pass or leave card, pass dated 15/9/1944 to 24/9/1944.

7. His Order of at John Jerusalem St John’s ambulance Association instruction for junior first-aid classes at Watford certificate 1922.

8. Hiss Ministry of National insurance Card contribution record 1950

9. His Ww2 raf 1946 medical card 

10. His national service armed forces acts grade card dated 1942

11. A letter written to him from the ministry of munitions of war 1919- congratulations on reaching aged 11 years old, enclosed three tickets for the pantomime and French confectionaries.

12. A letter written to him that states “I am commanded by the Air Council to refer to your recent application for a commission in the Administrative and Special Duties Branoh of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and to inform you with regret that for the present no more applications for direct commissions in that branch can be entertained, as the posts, which were available to oandidates direct from civil life, have now been filled, The Council desire ne to convey to you an expression of their appreciation of your offer of services”.

13. Document Royal Air Force deficiencies of lot 1944 dated

14. His Joining documentation ticket , State pay as under training armourer of two shillings a day.

15. A letter air forces in india deficiencies of kit sub form 1383.

16. Deficiencies sub form 1383

17. Fourth therefore special service of thanksgiving for victory dedication and prayer thanks be to God to give us the victory program

18. Newspaper clippings dated 17th august 1944 United services centre in city to small, hes in the photograph for this clipping.

19. 1945 Herbert’s commercial calculator account 

20. 1944-45 Royal Air Force medical pass 

21. Ww2 supplementary clothing book 

22. Next of kin card issued by Lloyds bank limited 1940s

23. Officer commanding headquarters unit no 221 group raf credit letter 

24. Certified copy of an entry of birth. Original birth certificate.

25. Provisional authority slip to where Burma star and emblems, headquarters Malaya. 

26. 1982 national health service medical card. 

27. University of London 1925 certificate for English mathematics modern European history geography French Latin German

28. 1925 University of London certificate scroll has passed and external student the intermediate explanation in commerce. In original postage tube 

29. 1930 University of London this is to certified there in the year nine for a John and Herbert attend a degree of bachelor of commerce in this university as an external student. In original postage tube.

30. Polaroid photograph of John Ernest Herbert’s grave stone 

31. Herberts memorial grave stone receipts and order confirmation. 

32. Copy of johns death certificate- cause of death Myocardial ischemia due to coronary atheroma b bronchopnemonia- accidental death 

33. The Watford amateur players programme 1929

34. No2 signals school Royal Air Force yatesbury wilts paperwork.

35. Interesting poem written by John called the best thing to give: your enemy, is forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend,Your heart. To your

Child, a good Example. To your farther, defiance. To your mother, conduct that will make you produce of you. To yourself, respect. To all men, charity.

36. Palm Sunday 1946 Wesley church Kuala Lumpur programme.

37. Air headquarters unit Royal Air Force Malaya airman permission slip. 

38. Programme combined services touring team army selangor sub area on the Padang kuala area, 9th April 1946.

39. Please take this away leaflet lent 1946 the parish of selangor.

40. Order of service d dedication of the church of st Michael RAF station Kuala Lumpur by the A.C.G Malaya command on February 24th 1946. The decoration and furnishing of the Church are the work of the airmen of this station.The cross and candle sticks were presented by Mr. and Mrs. Hanson in memory of their son Jeff who was killed flying in October 1945.The flower vases are the gift of F/Lt. A. Kershaw.The lectern was made by L. A. C. Cleghorn on behalf of 2941 Sądr. R.A.F. Regt. and the Fall given by the late C.O. S/Ldr. Furneaux.The Bishop's Chair was made by Cpl. Woodruffe for 2852 Sqdn. R.A.F. Regt.These gifts are significant of the loyalty and service that we owe to God which are shown by our worship in his House, and daily in our work.

41. Transport command Royal Air Force passenger ticket 

42. Shq Kuala Lumpur 23rd April 1946 the named airmen shall be released no20 phase 1.

43. Burt field house Rangoon Royal Air Force membership card

44. Malaya a railway forces ticket with government notice on back 1946

45. RAF station Kuala lumpar permanent pass 

46. YMCA canteens Batavia 

47. Nominal tile 721 forecast centres staff proceedings with Hq NEI

48. Programme combined services touring team Raf Kuala Lumpur on the padding Kuala Lumpur 8th April 1946

49. Kuala Lumpur book club membership card

50. Patented century calendars x 3 and a letter of patent ownership. 

There are Over 120 sets of hand written letters, letter numbers 1 to 80, first letter dated 08/03/1929 with the majority dated 29/12/1944 and the final letter dated 13/04/1946. Here are some of the letters summed up. There is a huge amount of content here and would be a brilliant project for maximum research! The following are a several letters briefly summed up 

Letter 1: titled to mum and dad, Jack says he has landed safe and sound on land again. We had quiet a good Christmas, he had jam on Christmas cake. He can’t mention his exact position where he’s located but that it’s in the Middle East.

Letter 2: Jack talks about moving to there next location shortly and will vs giving there new address, his best regards to watford Etc. 

Letter 3-4: weathers poor, they played a game of football with 22 other team, also jacks come down with a cold, he thanks his mum and dad for confectionaries, he also states that his unit will be posted abroad again soon where he looks forward to trying new foods, looks forward to warmer weather, new languages etc. 

Letter 6:Jack starts the letter of with saying sad to hear Watford lost against Fulham, pleasant change from the winter months, he’s very comfortable with a bed and plenty of sleep

Letter no 7:1st jan 1945, Jack letting his parents know that he’s still at the plane from which he was at last Thursday. This is no 2 letter since he landed, he’s been waiting daily to hear when/ where he will be posted, he’s been enjoying fresh food. He tells his mum and dad that he got out of guard duty and has a good choice on what’s going on the front line. 

Letter no 826/6/1945- to his mum, stationed At 721 forecast centre h.q raf netherlands East Indies which was a RAF transport aircraft evacuate Dutch civilian internees from Batavia, Netherlands East Indies (Jakarta, Indonesia) as part of operations for the Recovery of Allied Prisoners of War and Internees (RAPWI). Hetalks about not going to be able to write for a while. This entire letter is about him hearing that his dad passed away and not being able to come home, and that his life was an example to us all. He’s almost written a eulogy for his father here, for his mother to read as the funeral. That he looked forward to all tasks set. That his dad is no longer suffering. Also talks about “looking on things in the night light and in your Christian way” talks about religion etc. He also questions god because of the things he’s seen. That in a few months he will be on his way home and he will have a future with them as they will be together. He blesses his mum. This is a really heartfelt letter and really quiet sad to read.

Letter 9 no date- to mum and dad, stationed at home, he states glad to hear dads cough is better, talks about getting new uniform kit, they bought ham and lamb from Woolworths. He said he will look out for sgt rayland- that he’s in his wing but not the same section.

8. Letter no 3- 04/01/1945 to mum and dad Middle Eastern forces. Jack talks about not being able to contact some friends fighting in Europepe since d-day. That he’s longing till the day he can come home again. That he’s currently living in a tent, and waiting to be told when to make the next push. Asks his dad for the football results.

Letter no 10 dated 28th/06/1945 stationed at the forecast centre. To his month we. He said that it was doubtful that he should be allowed home for the funeral. That his commanding officer thought it had been very good of dad to consider that he was doing useful work out here. He did try to get compassionate leave but was denied. Talks about having a flower garden memorial back home. Continues to talk about his dad in a positive light. 

Letter no 11 dated 2/7/1945- talks about his fathers death again, religiously and his emotions. He also makes a donation of £400 towards funeral costs, memorials etc. Also talks about dads will of £800, and talks about the question of income tax.

Another letter dated 11/1/1945 he talks about how he won 50 cigarettes in a bet. He also complained about postage delays how he was handed 8 letters from his mum. Also talks about how he’s excited to come home for Christmas.

Cable wireless dated 3rd Feb 1945 to herberts dad Herbert states all well and sad writing in detail love and kisses. 

Over all of these letters there are a tremendous amount of subjects covered from every day life tasks whilst serving in the Middle East, to the mourning and loss of his father and his friends Kia at d-day. Winning a copious amount of cigarettes in bets, to keeping up with the football scores, and the dreaded delayed parcels/ letters. 

List of places Jack was stationed at, and a little bit about these places:

RAF India Command-1945

721 forecast centre 

RAF SEAC (Air Command South East Asia) 1945

721 forecast centre H.Q RAF Netherlands East Indies SEAC- October 1945- was used as a displaced persons camp at the end of the war, Jack also talks about these displaces in two of his letters. 

721 forecast centre HQ RAF NE1 SEAAF

736 forecast centre Raf seaaf December 1945

Draft no 248 postal no 5 3 flight 1 wing 2 pnc raf monecombe Lancashire 

RAF station Kuala lumpar 1946

This WW2 SEAC RAFVR Medal & Document Grouping is an extraordinary grouping, a detailed story told by Jack through his letters to to his parents throughout the course of the war and during the Malayan emergency. Listed above I have only just touched the surface, the paperwork contains a huge amount of content and this could be a brilliant lot for you to read and research fully! You won’t be disappointed by this brilliant lot. 

On a side note please check out my other listing a large grouping belonging to “1204616 Leslie Charles Masters RAFVR”of the 613th City Of Manchester Squadron 138 Wing 2TAF Bomber Command Medal Group, in which he served as a Navigator. The reason why I have mentioned this grouping is

Because Leslie Charles Masters and John Ernest Herbert are related. The individual that we purchased these groupings, said that John Ernest Herbert was her Uncle on her mums side and that Leslie Charles Masters was grandad on her dads side. If you would like to purchase both of the medal groups

I would be willing to do a good deal on them so that they can continue to stay together. 

This will be dispatched via special delivery and dispatched within two working days.