VERY RARE - JS50/42/6 cover commemorating the 1,000 Bomber Raids signed by six members of Bomber Command as listed below. The cover bears the 1st Class Winston Churchill stamp cancelled with Bomber Command Memorial Lincoln 2nd October 2015 postmark. Manser was awarded his Victoria Cross posthumously for his courage and bravery in saving the lives of his crew members when his Avro Manchester crashed on returning from the first 1,000 Bomber Raid.

A highly unusual JS50 signatures obtained by the RAF Museum / Bomber Command Association and completed and finished (and researched) by myself. Less than 25 known to exist. Details on signatures as follows:-

 FL Richard Herbert William Clarkson DFC*
 Navigator (68160) RAFVR
DFC 06/06/1944 No 692 squadron
BAR 07/07/1944 No 692 squadron
Citation for Bar to DFC: This officer has completed a very large number of sorties and has set a fine example of skill, courage and devotion to duty. Recently Flight Lieutenant Clarkson took part in a mission in which most accurate and meticulous navigation was essential to the success of the mission, but despite fierce anti-aircraft fire and considerable searchlight activity, Flight Lieutenant Clarkson guided his pilot to the target with unerring skill and thus contributed materially to the success achieved.

Sgt Stanley Hector Conway DFM
 Observer (564561)
DFM 22/10/1940 No 37 squadron
Citation for DFM: Since the beginning of the war, Sergeant Conway has acted as Navigator on 32 sorties, mostly by night, involving long flights over the North Sea and operations over Norway, France the Low Counties, Northern Germany and the Ruhr. His skill and devotion to duty has been instrumental in bringing his aircraft back to its base safely in all conditions of weather. By his persistent determination, cheerfulness and outstanding skill as an Air Observer, this Sergeant at all times sets an example of the highest order.

FO Douglas John Drake DFC DFM
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (47872)
DFC 09/07/1943 No 156 squadron
DFM 24/10/1941 No 144 squadron
Citation for DFM: For continuous gallantry and devotion to duty during raids into enemy territory. Sergeant Drake has always shown outstanding courage and determination whilst flying on operations. He has never failed to work his set successfully, often under the most severe weather conditions. He has always been ready to volunteer for the most difficult and dangerous tasks. This NCO has set an extremely high standard for the other Wireless Operators/Air Gunners of the squadron to follow.

A/SL William Lyall Farquharson DFC*
Pilot (116099) RAFVR
DFC 14/05/1943 No 115 squadron
BAR 21/09/1945 No 195 squadron

 FL Cyril Francis Muller DFC DFM AE
Pilot (129251) RAFVR
DFC 14/04/1945 No 105 squadron
DFM 07/04/1942 No 70 squadron
Citation for DFM: Sergeant Muller has now completed 5 sorties over enemy territory of which 29 have been made in the Middle East. He has shown the greatest keenness to face the enemy and his operations have been carried out with clockwork regularity. He has never failed to come low over the target if necessary and during a recent operation of Derna, he came down below a 10/10ths cloud base at 2,000ft. His aircraft received several direct hits from light flak which blew a very large hole in the underneath of the fuselage and damaged the controls. Nevertheless, he completed a further run over the target and brought his aircraft safely back to base with the hydraulics out of action. Sergeant Muller has been shot-up on several other occasions but he has never flinched from an operation. His results have not been spectacular but they have been consistently good and his bombing accurate.

Bob Pearce
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner 142 Squadron / 21 OTU

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