| Accession Number | REL/07759.001 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Enamel, Silver |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Australia |
| Date made | c 1939-45 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Sweetheart brooch : Flight Lieutenant J Epstein DFC Bar, 90 and 7 Squadrons RAF
Description
Silver and enamel RAAF sweetheart brooch in the form of blue enamelled RAAF pilot's wings, with a red enamelled Kings crown over 'RAAF' in red within a green wreath.
History / Summary
Associated with the service of 423687 Flight Lieutenant Julius Epstein, born 25 December 1920 in Redfern, NSW. Known affectionately to his family and friends as 'Jules', Epstein enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 18 July 1942. He trained in Australia and Canada before arriving in the United Kingdom in July 1943 where he served with both 90 and 7 Squadrons of the Royal Air Force. As part of Bomber Command and the elite Pathfinder Force (PFF) Epstein flew as a Navigator onboard AvroLancaster and Short Stirling aircraft in over 60 operations against some of the most heavily defended targets in Europe. In addition to heavy ground defences, his aircraft also fought off enemy fighters on six separate occasions. In 1944 Epstein was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the following year received a bar to the award for his continued ‘undiminished skill and courage’.