Battle of Britain collection. Robert Taylor Battle of Britain book Commemorative collection with BOB fighter aces signed covers and copy of Baders 15/9/1940 242 sqn combat Report. Autographs include Grp Capt Douglas Bader DSO DFC and Robert Stanford Tuck signed on their own historic aviators cover plus 50th ann Spitfire cover signed by five of the few Flt Sgt G Russell, Laddie Lucas, Micky Mount, Bob Doe, Vic Hennessy 130 sqn and Leslie Robert Colquhoun 603 sqn. Also has copy of 1940 BOB photo with Peter Howard Williams DFC and copies of the official Battle of Britain 1940 Air Ministry account booklets. This elegant commemorative edition celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, as depicted by the world's finest aviation artist, Robert Taylor. More than thirty dynamic actions during the aerial battle are depicted, supported by expert text and contemporary accounts describing each scene. At the end of the summer of 1940, only one nation in Europe still remained defiant of Nazi Germany. After the collapse of France, Poland, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and given the professed neutrality of the Soviet Union and the United States, Adolf Hitler had only one remaining conquest in sight the British isles upon which he dispatched his mighty Luftwaffe. However, in Winston Churchill, he encountered a leader equal in combatant spirit to himself, who furthermore could call on the RAF to fight back against what was then the world's strongest air force. The result was a desperate combat, wherein outnumbered British fighters rose to disrupt the enemy bomber streams, even as German fighters pounced on British formations, singling out individual pilots for aerial duels. In the end, the Spitfires and Hurricanes of Fighter Command were able to hold off the Nazi swarms, thus saving Britain from a full invasion and ensuring that the democracies would still have a springboard back into Europe, once the U.S. had entered the war. Never in the course of human history, said Churchill later, have so many owed so much to so few. His words were more true than he could have known at the time. Featuring exceptional quality art-printing, Robert Taylors Battle of Britain includes detailed information about the Battle of Britain, as well as the stories behind his paintings, augmented by the recollections of some of the most famous aces who fought in the battle, including Douglas Bader, Johnnie Johnson, and the German ace, Adolf Galland. Robert Taylors paintings of aircraft, more than those of any other artist, have helped popularize the genre. Based in the UK, he has exhibited throughout the US and Canada, Australia, Japan, and Europe. His paintings hang in many of the world's great aviation museums and adorn boardrooms, offices and homes, and his limited edition prints are avidly collected all around the world. This collected work to mark the 70th anniversary of the battle will be an essential acquisition for both aviation enthusiasts and serious students of World War II. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
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C78c Battle of Britain Signed Gp. Capt J Kent & 6 involved in Battle of Britain 1940 signed by Gp. Capt. Johnnie Kent 303 Sqn Battle of Britain & WWII Fighter Ace 12. Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Foxley Norris, Richard Haine John Keatings Avis Hearn, Trevor Gray J A A Gibson 501 Sqn New Zealander Ace Certified Copy. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
Signed FDC Collection of 4 includes Open Day RAF Coltishall 40th Anniv Battle of Britain RAF Coltishall RAF Miniature Sheet. Hurricane & Spitfire. Personally Signed by Wg Cdr H R Dizzy Allen 66Sqn Battle of Britain WW11 Ace 1980, HA 40 signed R. Beamont, Z T A Wroblewski, J Keatings 1979, DM4 Distinguished Service Order Cover Signed 4 holders Lewis Brandon DSO, DFC & Bar, A C Deere Battle of Britain, Lt Cdr I Stanley DSO sea king pilot, Wg Cdr E E Rodley DSO DFC*AFC 1984, 200th 1st Manned Aerial Voyage - Signed F Davies 56 Sqn Battle of Britain Pilot 1983,. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
4USS Wasp Special Postmark dated 30 Dec 1940 Signed by Captain David McCampbell US Navy Ace 34 Victories. David McCampbell became a naval aviator in 1934 but it wasn't until 1944 that he flew combat missions from the carrier USS Essex One of only two Navy pilots to be awarded the Medal of Honour, Captain David McCampbell ended the war with 34 aircraft shot down plus another 21 destroyed on the ground. His score of 34 made him the highest scoring Navy 'Ace' and the third highest scoring US pilot of World War II. McCampbell also received the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
Honoring Our Vets Signed Robert Rankin USAF WW11 Pilot Ace10 Personally Signed by Colonel Robert Rankin United States Air Force colonel. During World War II, he became a flying ace with the United States Army Air Forces credited with 10 aerial victories, including five in a single day, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.4 Lt. Robert Rankin, in his P-47 chased Rall in his Messerschmitt 109, shooting off Rall's left thumb and subsequently downing his plane. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
Battle of Britain Signed 22 Battle of Britain Pilots, Crew. 1st Oct 1998 In Commemoration of the Battle of Britain Suite datestamp. In Commemoration of The Battle of Britain Suite at the Royal Star & Garter Home for disabled Ex Service Men & Women. Opened by his Royal Highness The Duke of Kent. Picture cachet of Spitfire and Group Captain Douglas Bader visiting the Home in 1945. Personally Signed ( hand Signed ) by 22 Pilots, Air Gunners all involved in the Battle of Britain. Richard Haine No 25(F) Sqn 4 Sep 1939 First Blenheim fighter patrol of War. Also 600 Sqn Battle of Britain pilot FIt.Lt.Ludwik A.Martel (VM KW K2)603 Fighter Sqn. 1940. Battle of Britain. He joined 54 Squadron at Catterick in Mid-September 1940 and moved to 603 Squadron at Hornchurch, W H Hodds 25 Sqn Air Crew Battle of Britain in Bristol Blenheim. Sqn Ldr P G Leggett 46 Sqn Battle of Britain fighter Pilot E B B Smith 610 Sqn Pilot Battle of Britain. WW11 Ace Geoffrey Garside Observer 236 Sqn Battle of Britain Sqn Ldr H.M.T.Heron 266 & 46 Sqn Battle of Britain Fighter pilot. R.L.Jones 64 & 19 Sqns Battle of Britain Fighter pilot. Cyril B.Brown Air Commodore Battle of Britain Fighter pilot 245,253,532,Sqn. John Keatings ( Air Gunner with 219 Sqn Battle of Britain ) A G Russell 43 & 145 Squadrons Battle of Britain fighter. Joined 43 Squadron at Usworth 28 th September 1940. Alan W Gear 32 Hurricane Sqn, Battle of Britain fighter pilot Plt Off Peter Ayerst who achieved confirmed victories in the Battle of Britain and not eligible for the Battle of Britain Clasp, Sqn Ldr J G P Millard Nos 1 & 242 Squadrons Battle of Britain fighter pilot. J A A Gibson 501 Sqn New Zealander Ace with 12 Victories in Hurricane. Battle of Britain Fighter Pilot Sqn Ldr T S Pickering 501 Sqn Battle of Britain During head on attack on DO 17 Bomber over London I was shot down by front gunners of the formation aircraft on fire baled out and landed by parachute in the guards depot at Caterham E.G. Parkin, fighter pilot with 501 Sqn., Battle of Britain.£9.95Peter Raymond Hairs 501 Sqn Battle of Britain fighter pilot. K.N.T.Lee, 501 Sqn Battle of Britain, Dunkirk pilot WW11 Ace Trevor Gray 64 Sqn Battle of Britain fighter pilot. Avis Hearn awarded M M for Bravery during Battle of Britain whilst under stuka attack on poling radar station Aug 1940. H G Whittick 604 Sqn Air Gunner Battle of Britain. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
JSF9c Battle of Britain Signed by 9 Battle of Britain Pilots Crew Signed by Gp.Capt.Dennis David, pilot, G W Benn 219 Sqn Air Gunner. Richard Haine 600 Sqn Battle of Britain pilot, John Keatings Air Gunner R A McGowen 46 Sqn Fighter Pilot North Weald, J A A Gibson 501 Sqn New Zealander Ace Pilot Avis Hearn awarded M M H.E.Green pilot with 141 ( F ) Sqn.1940 to Certified Copy. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
Signed FDC Collection of 3 includes B22c 70th Anniversary of 11 Sqn RAF Special Signed by Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burnett Pilot RAF Flt Commander at RAF Topcliffe 102 ( Whitley ) Sqd CO of 51 Sqd RAF Dishforth. Also signed by F. C. A. Lanning 141 Defiant Sqdn & John Keatings Air Gunner 1986, BB32a Design B17 Fortress B17 Signed by Commander Henry USN WW11 Ace 10 Victories & Col R B Porter A Marine Night-Fighter Pilot 1984, AC20 40th Anniv of VJ Day. Signed Crew 1st Officer K Chamber and Cdr Alexander Vraciu 1985. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
Maiden Flight DH 115 Vampire Signed by D Bader, D Crowley-Milling J McKelvey Personally Signed by Gp Capt Sir Douglas Bader, the legless Fighter pilot CO 242 Hurricane Squadron during the Battle of Britain, shot down in 1941 and taken prisoner, escaped was recaptured and sent to Oflag 7c Colditz Castle until released by the US Army in 1945, Air Marshall Sir Dennis Crowley Milling. Battle of Britain Pilot WW11 Ace Died 1996 Air Commodore John McKelvey Sep 1929 Aircraft Apprentice, 20th Entry, No 1 School of Technical Training (Apprentices)1932 Airman (563485),14 Dec 1938 Appointed to a Commission for the duration of the war in the Technical Branch 6 May 194 Appointed to a Permanent Commission in the Technical Branch in the rank of Flight Lieutenant. Mosquito Aircraft Museum Reference Number MAM7d. Certified Copy No 4 of 200 Issued Signed J Stride Philatelic Officer. £40.00. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
47th Anniv of Battle of Britain Signed Fighter 10 Battle of Britain Pilots Crew Personally signed Sqn Ldr K.N.T. Lee DFC of No 501 Sqn,Royal Auxiliary Air Force Pilot of Hurricane P3059 SD N. Fighter pilot Ace in WW11.and also Signed Sgt. John Keatings, air gunner, 219 Sqn., Battle of Britain Kenneth William MacKenzie 501 Sqn Battle of Britain Fighter Pilot WW11 Ace. MacKenzie was hit by heavy flak from the ground defence's and ditched in the sea. He took to his dinghy, paddled to the shore and was captured. He was in various camps before finishing up at Stalag Luft 111, Sagan. And helped with the Wooden Horse. Plt Off Peter Ayerst who achieved confirmed victories in the Battle of Britain and not eligible for the Battle of Britain Clasp Sgt.R.Wolton Battle of Britain Fighter pilot with 152 Squadron Died 1993 Trevor Gray 64 Sqn Battle of Britain fighter pilot John Booth 600 & 23 Sqdn's Sqn Blenheim's Battle of Britain Air Gunner Sqn Ldr G Leggett 615, 245 & 46 Battle of Britain fighter pilot Geoffrey Stevens 151 & 213 Sqn's Battle of Britain Avis Hearn awarded M M for Bravery during Battle of Britain whilst under stuka attack on poling radar station Aug 1940. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
A large collection of assorted 7" singles, various dates and genres, arranged alphabetically from G-M, to include: Glen Frey - I've Got Mine, Sexy Girl, Genesis - Mama, George Harrison - Love Comes to Everyone, Got My Mind Set on You, Ian Gillan - No Good Luck, Graham Bonnett - Night Games, Gary Moore & Phil Lynott - Out in the Fields, Girlschool - C'mon Let's Go, Gloria Estefan - Anything For You, Grandfunk - Shinin' On, Gerry Rafferty - Night Owl, Geoffrey Williams - Summer Breeze, Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder - Be My Lover Now, Heart -What About Love?, Never, Heavy Pettin - Rock Me, Hear No Evil - Taking Over, Hue & Cry - Profoundly Yours, Howard Jones - Pearl in the Shell, The Hysterics - Five Tracks of Laughter, Ironhorse - Sweet Lui-Louise, Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Reasons to be Cheerful, INXS - Suicide Blond, Iron Maiden - RunTo The Hills, Jesus Jones - The Right Decision (with postcards), The Jam - A Town called Malice, John Cougar Mellencamp - Check it Out, Jelly Bean - The Real Thing, Judas Priest - Take on the World, Jelly Fish - I Wanna Stay Home, John Lennon - NobodyTold Me, Kim Wilde - You Came, Kids in America, Kiss - Crazy Crazy Nights, Level 42 - The Sun Goes Down, Motley Crue - Primal Scream, Madness - One Step Beyond, Madonna - Borderline, Like a Prayer, Into the Groove, Malcolm Mclaren - Duble Dutch, Mr Mister - Is It Love, Magnum - Start Talking Love, Marillion - Sugarmice, Motorhead - Ace of Spades, Overkill, The Golden Years, Louie Louie (approx 170, some duplicates)
A large collection of assorted 12" vinyl, mainly LP's various dates and genres to include Kraftwerk - Computer World, Dire Straits - Love Over Gold, The Damned - Anything, English Dogs - Mad Punk & English Dogs, Emerson Lake & Palmer - Works, Eagles - Hotel California, Earthshaker - Tokyo, Elvis Presley - Loving You, Eurythmics - Sexcrime, Jefferson Starship - Gold, Kiss - Smashes, Thrashes & HIts, Elton John - Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player, Madness - One Step Beyond, Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells, Motorhead - Ace Of Spades, Montrose - Paper Money, Fleetwood Mac - Tusk, INXS - Kick and The Cars - Candy-O etc. (89)
A good quantity of racing driver biographies including two signed examples,including Count Giovanni Lurani: Racing Round the World 1920-1935, signed by Lurani to with dedication to opening page 'To dear friend Dennis from one of the 'old ones'! Johnny Lurani Montecarlo 10/5/59...during the G.P... (B.P.leading!..)'; Rudolf Caracciola: Mercedes Grand Prix Ace - An Autobiography, signed by Caracciola with dedication and dated 1956; a signed photograph of Reg 'Crash' Kavanagh, dated 1938 with dedication, (some fading to signature), and a copy of the Anthony Richardson: Crash Kavanagh; and other titles relating to mainly pre-War race drivers including Prince Chula, Sir Henry Segrave, Kaye Don, Sir Henry 'Tim' Birkin, Malcolm Campbell, Dick Seaman, and others. (Qty)Lot to be sold without reserve.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
Assorted motoring accessories, trade and supplier's brochures sales ephemera,mainly pre-War, including 1921 J & R Oldfield Dependence mirrors, 1926 KLG, Smiths's for 1928 and 1938, Dunlop 1926/27 and 1948, 1937 Halfords, 1938 Dunlop, 1939 John Bull, Jaeger dashboard instruments, Joseph Lucas lighting and Electricalities, Harding invalid carriages, Simms Magnetos for Dennis, Wellworthy Pistons, Radiomobile, Dagenite, Varta, Geo.O.James Ltd, and Lewis Dixon & Son Ltd fittings, Balata Belting & Rubber Co.Ltd, Autovac, W.Sisson engines, Kohler Plants, Solex and Stromberg Carburettors, Ace, Michelin, Klaxon, Ross Courtney & Co.Ltd., and others. (Qty)Lot to be sold without reserve.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: •• Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
WW2 Battle of Britain fighter ace Tom Gleave signed 75th Anniversary of the Royal Naval Air Service FDC No. 711 of 750. Flown in Harvard AT-6d G-BGOR from Lamberhurst to Biggin Hill in preparation for the 1989 Biggin Hill International Air Fair overflying Headcorn-West Malling and Kenley postmark 5 Jun 1989 Biggin Hill. Good condition Est. Good Condition All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
US Medal of Honor winner Jeff DeBlanc signed 10 x 8 inch b/w photo getting medal from the President. Jefferson Joseph DeBlanc (February 15, 1921 - November 22, 2007) was an American World War II Marine Corps fighter pilot and flying ace, credited with shooting down nine Japanese aircraft during two tours of duty in the Pacific at Guadalcanal and Okinawa. On January 31, 1943, despite mechanical problems with his aircraft, he pressed forward with a mission and shot down five Japanese aircraft in minutes before being shot down himself. DeBlanc parachuted to safety and was rescued by native islanders, traded for a sack of rice, and picked up by a Navy seaplane. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions that day. He served in the Marine Corps Reserve until 1972. In that time, he also taught school and completed graduate and doctoral degrees in math, physics and education. Good condition Est. Good Condition All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 Battle of Britain fighter ace Air Cdre Peter Brothers DSO DFC signed 2002 Biggin Hill RAF Station cover. Only 150 were signed. Good condition Est. Good Condition All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 Luftwaffe ace Oberstleutnant Gerhard Krems KC signed 5x4 inch black and white photo. Gerhard Krems (4 May 1920 - 12 February 2017) was a highly decorated Oberleutnant in the Luftwaffe during World War II, and a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. Good condition Est. Good Condition All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 Battle of Britain fighter ace Sqn Ldr Peter Brown AFC 611/41 sqn signed 7 x 3-inch b/w photo, flew Spitfires during the Battle of Britain, serving with both No.611 and No.41 Squadrons. Good condition Est. Good Condition All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 Battle of Britain fighter ace Alan Deere DSO DFC signed 1989 RAF FDC Hawkinge BOB cover. Good condition Est. Good Condition All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 RAF Robert Foster DFC Battle of Britain WW2 RAF fighter pilot signed Hurricane photo. 12 x 8 colour hand signed photo. Wing Commander Bob Foster was one of the heroes of the Battle of Britain, flying Hurricanes and Spitfires with 605 Squadron. He was credited with destroying and damaging a number of enemy aircraft; later in the war he destroyed at least five Japanese aircraft while flying from airfields in northern Australia. The squadron was stationed for much of the early years of the war at Drem, just outside Edinburgh, from where they patrolled the North Sea. It was sent south in May 1940 to cover the evacuation from Dunkirk and then returned to Drem. The squadron was moved south in September when Foster was heavily engaged in the Battle of Britain, and at the end of that month he achieved his first success, damaging an enemy plane while his own Hurricane was hit by enemy fire in the dog fight. The following month he shot down two enemy aircraft and shared in the destruction of another. Further kills followed and he chased a German bomber out to sea. In September 1941, he joined a fighter training unit as an instructor. He was transferred to Australia to join two Spitfire squadrons of the Royal Australian Air Force which flew from Darwin to counter Japanese bombing raids. Foster flew the first Spitfire to shoot down a Japanese aircraft and in June 1943 he led his squadron into a pitched air battle with 30 Japanese bombers. He was the third pilot to claim five successes over Australia (earning him the title of ace ) and a few weeks later he was awarded a DFC. Good condition Est. Good Condition All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
Casino Royale 007 (James Bond) (2006) Framed $100,000 Casino Chip and Royal Flush Hand of Playing Cards. Framed $100,000 Casino Chip and Hand of Playing Cards. 20.5'' x 16.25. Both the casino chips and playing cards were used on screen in the high-stakes poker game at Le Casino Royale in Montenegro by Daniel Craig as James Bond against Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen). Hand of 5 prop playing cards and a $100,000 Casino Royale chip used in Daniels Craigs first outing as James Bond in ''Casino Royale''(2006). Hand of five cards is a Royal flush, Ten to Ace of Diamonds. Framed and mounted on a laser cut felt board in black frame. Originally purchased from Propstore.
Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 to Private Leyshon Ace, Welsh Regiment, four clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Belfast and South Africa 1901 (7461 PTE. L. ACE, VL: CO: WELSH REGT.), together with a First World War medal trio to Serjeant L. Ace, Welsh Regiment (23115 SJT. L. ACE, WELSH R.) and another to Private Thomas Rees Ace, Grenadier Guards (9628 PTE. T. ACE, G. GDS) with Memorial Plaque Ancestors of the vendorThomas Rees Ace of the 1st battalion, Grenadier Guards, was killed in action in France on the 15th October, 1915, aged 38 years. Sold with papers and photocopies
Twenty boxed Corgi Classics Chipperfield’s Circus vehicles, 11201 ERF KV Artic with cages, lions, tigers, pedestal and tamer, 31902 Foden S21 Lorry and trailer with elephants, pedestal and rider, 14201 Foden S21 articulated tank trailer with hippo and crocodile, 17801 Scammell constructor canon and ringmaster, 07202 Land Rover public address and clowns, 31901 Mary Chipperfield’s Liberty horses, 96905 Advanced Booking vehicle, 97896 ACE pole truck, 97886 Scammell Highwayman with crane, 97957 ERF 8-wheel rigid truck, 97888 Foden closed pole truck with caravan, 97915 Scammell Highwayman with 2 trailers, 97889 AEC Cage truck and trailer, 97022 AEC Regal living quarters, 97887 Bedford ) articulated Horsebox, 97885 Scammell Highwayman, trailer and caravan, 97092 Bedford Pantechnicon Billy Smee wardrobe, 97303 Bedford O articulated truck, contents in mint unused condition, boxes excellent but 97885 dent,/crease to one corner, 97888 dents/creases to one end, Cameo 10 vintage Chipperfield’s vehicles, contents good four truck bodies loose from chassis, box some wear and a CC20401 The South Down Gallopers Fairground attractions, excellent condition, box some rubs/wear to edges, (20 items).
Family group: A well-documented and interesting Great War ambulance driver’s group of three awarded to Lieutenant A. T. Bruen, Royal Army Service Corps, late Ambulance Driver with the British Red Cross 1914-15 Star (A. T. Bruen. B.R.C. & St. J.J.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut A. T. Bruen.) mounted as worn, extremely fine The outstanding Second World War naval ace’s Operation ‘Pedestal’ D.S.O., Cape Matapan D.S.C. group of seven awarded to Commander (A.) J. M. ‘Bill’ Bruen, Fleet Air Arm. Lucky to have emerged unscathed from the severely damaged carrier Indomitable during ‘Pedestal’ and indeed from numerous air-to-air combats, he ended the war with a final score of ‘four enemy aircraft destroyed, four shared destroyed, two damaged and two shared damaged’. One of a dozen or so Irishmen to gain ace status in the conflict, Bruen has been described as ‘probably one of the best naval fighter leaders of the war’ Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse of suspension bar officially dated ‘1942’; Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1941’, hallmarked London 1940, and additionally engraved, ‘Lt. Cdr. J. M. Bruen RN, HMS Formidable’; I939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1943-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, the last five all privately named, ‘Cdr J. M. Bruen, DSO DSC RN‘, mounted for display, nearly extremely fine (10) £2,000-£3,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Arthur Thomas ‘Shuvva’ Bruen was born in Dublin on 23 November 1873 and, being above the age limit for military service, volunteered – at his own expense – to serve as an ambulance driver for the British Red Cross in France in April 1915. As verified by accompanying documentation, he was for the next six months heavily engaged in transporting casualties, and his accompanying narrative – see below – makes for fascinating reading in this often neglected ‘civilian chapter’ from Great War history, as indeed does the related documentation, such as lists of the wounded conveyed, and their possessions, the whole immaculately recorded. He was employed in No. 2 Motor Ambulance Convoy, which consisted of about 50 ambulances under the command of an R.A.M.C. captain, with three other medical officers. And their brief was to clear casualties from all the Field Ambulances in the 1st Army area to the three Casualty Clearing Stations in Merville, and thence to hospital trains and barges. In January 1916, Bruen was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Army Service Corps, in which rank he remained actively employed on motor transport duties for the remainder of the war, latterly in an M.T. section attached to 36th Ulster Division. His narrative refers to his unit being enrolled to assist with the transportation of casualties from the Somme offensive in July 1916: ‘The wounded began to arrive in Rouen in greater numbers than could be dealt with by the ambulance cars and our lorries were called on to move the sitting cases. It was reported that 10,000 wounded arrived in six hours at one time … ’ Bruen’s section was generally employed in shifting artillery ammunition, in which role his section sometimes came under fire. However, at 9 p.m. on 10 November 1918, he happily noted: ‘The news came through that the Armistice applied for by the Germans had been granted: great rejoicing, cheering, rockets, Verey lights, etc.’ Sold with a large leather-bound album containing a highly impressive archive of original documentation and his handwritten narrative (1915-19), the former including photographs, maps, field messages, patient delivery slips, tickets, passes, permits, transport orders, and postcards, and supplemented by uniform insignia, including a rare embroidered ‘B.R.C.’ shoulder flash, a stamped and numbered B.R.C.S. arm band, a 3-years-overseas service chevron and an original Haig Fund poppy. Bruen’s extensive narrative makes for interesting reading, as does the accompanying documentation, but worthy of special mention would be his British passport, dated 14 April 1915, with portrait photograph, and numerous French stamps; his ‘Army Certificate of Identity for Civilians wearing the Red Cross Brassard’, issued at Pall Mall, London on 16 April 1915, with portrait photograph; his British Red Cross ‘Form of Declaration’ to serve as a chauffeur ‘in the British Isles and on the Continent’, dated 14 April 1915; and his commission warrant for the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, Land Forces, dated 15 January 1916. Commander (A.) J. M. ‘Bill’ Bruen, Fleet Air Arm D.S.O. London Gazette 10 November 1942: ‘For bravery and resolution when an important convoy was fought through to Malta in the face of relentless attacks by day and night from enemy submarines, aircraft and surface forces.’ The original recommendation states: ‘As Commanding Officer of No. 800 Squadron he had six weeks in which to re-equip his squadron with Hurricanes and bring them to a proper state of battle efficiency. In this he achieved conspicuous success, his squadron accounting for 14 enemy machines, shot down on 12th August. Of this number Lieutenant-Commander Bruen was responsible for the destruction of three. His courage and determination were an inspiration to all, and his ability as a pilot unexcelled.’ D.S.C. London Gazette 29 July 1941: ‘For bravery and enterprise in the Battle of Cape Matapan.’ The original recommendation states: ‘He was responsible, with his section, for the very well-timed attack on the screening destroyer during the second attack on the Veneto. This gave the aircraft a clear approach and contributed largely to their success. Later, during the bombing attack on the fleet, his section forced a number of the enemy to jettison their bombs before they had reached the fleet. He maintained his squadron in a high state of serviceability throughout the operations, enabling a continuous patrol to be kept up in spite of the limited number of aircraft available.’ John Martin ‘Bill’ Bruen was born in Dublin on 10 December 1910, son of Arthur Thomas ‘Shuvva’ Bruen, and entered the Royal Navy as a 13-year-old cadet in September 1924. Appointed a Midshipman in January 1929, and advanced to Sub. Lieutenant in May 1931 and to Lieutenant in April 1934, he held several seagoing appointments on the Atlantic, Mediterranean and East Indies stations. Having also earlier obtained a flying certificate, he transferred to the Fleet Air Arm, then under the auspices of the Royal Air Force, and was posted as a fighter pilot to 802 Naval Air Squadron (N.A.S.) in the summer of 1936. The squadron was embarked for the Mediterranean in the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Glorious in the same month, a tour of duty which ended with Bruen’s return to the U.K. in August 1938. Shortly afterwards, he transferred to 801 N.A.S. in the carrier Courageous and was likewise employed when the newly formed and independent Fleet Air Arm was established on the eve of hostilities. His subsequent wartime career was of an exceptional nature, encompassing as it did his claim to four enemy aircraft destroyed, four shared destroyed, two damaged and two shared damaged. And that impressive tally of air-to-air successes commenced with his appointment to the command of 803 N.A.S. in the Ar...
The British War Medal awarded to Second Lieutenant H. L. Tomkies, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment and Royal Flying Corps, a B.F.2a observer who served with 48 Squadron, and who was shot down and killed by the German Ace Leutnant Karl Emil Schäfer of Jasta 11, during “Bloody April” on 25 April 1917 British War Medal 1914-20 (2. Lieut. H. L. Tomkies.) very fine £100-£140 --- Henry Lea Tomkies was born in December 1893, and resided at 6 White Street, Coventry. He attested for the 7th (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment in October 1914, and advanced to Temporary Lance Sergeant in April 1915. Tomkies was commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant in the 13th (Reserve) Battalion, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, and advanced to Lieutenant with the 17th (Service) Battalion (Welbeck Rangers) in April 1915. He was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps to train as an Observer in June 1916, and was posted for operational flying with 48 Squadron (B.F.2a’s) in France in March 1917. The Squadron Commander at the time being Captain W. Leefe-Robinson, V.C. As ‘Bloody April”’ began, the Squadron were serving as part of the 13th Wing of III Brigade based a Bellevue. Tomkies was crewed with the Canadian, Second Lieutenant W. J. Clifford, as his pilot. They took off on an Offensive Patrol around Arras on the evening of 25 April 1917, and were shot down and killed by the German Ace Leutnant Karl Emil Schäfer of Jasta 11 (his 23rd ‘Victory’ out of 30). Both pilot and observer are commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial, France. Sold with memory stick, containing extensive copied research, and copied service papers.
Pair: Second Lieutenant F. W. King, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, late Royal Engineers, an S.E.5a pilot who flew just 23 hours and 40 minutes with 40 Squadron before being shot down by the German Ace Leutnant Fritz Rumey on 17 September 1918. King was taken Prisoner of War, and Rumey, the 6th highest scoring German Ace of the War, was killed just ten days later British War and Victory Medals (2/Lieut. F. W. King. R.A.F.) mounted on card for display, generally very fine or better (2) £200-£300 --- Frederick Willis King was born in Battersea, London, in August 1892. He was educated at the London County Council School, after which he was employed as a Shipping Inward Freight Clerk. King initially served during the Great War as a dispatch rider with the Royal Engineers in the French theatre of War from 20 July 1915 (entitled to 1914-15 Star). He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment 1917, prior to transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in September 1917. King carried out initial training as a pilot, and was posted for operational flying with 40 Squadron (S.E.5a’s) in France in March 1918. He took off on an Observation Patrol at 9am on 17 September 1918. King was last seen by members of his patrol at 9.55am South of Cambrai. His aircraft was claimed as the 38th ‘Victory’ of the German air ace Fritz Rumey, of Jasta 5. King survived to be taken Prisoner of War, whilst Rumey was killed just ten days later after colliding with a British plane. He was the sixth highest scoring German ace of the Great War. King was repatriated at Leith in December 1918, and transferred to the Unemployed List in March 1919. His flying hours are recorded at 23 hours and 40 minutes. Sold with copied research, and a memory stick, containing further copied research.
The highly emotive Battle of Britain Spitfire pilot’s campaign group of three awarded to Pilot Officer W. H. G. ‘Scotty’ Gordon, 234 Squadron, Royal Air Force, who shot down at least one enemy aircraft, and shared one enemy aircraft probably destroyed during the height of the Battle - only to succumb to the guns of a German ‘Ace’, whilst trying to fend off the attack of three enemy fighters over Beachy Head on 6 September 1940. His remains were believed to be retrieved from the wreckage of his Spitfire in Sussex shortly after the crash, and buried by his family in Scotland. Permission was gained for the site to be excavated again in 2003, and amongst the surviving wreckage of the aircraft were the remains and most of the named uniform belonging to William Gordon - he was finally laid to rest some 63 years after his death 1939-45 Star, 1 clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Air Council enclosure and ‘ticker tape’ entitlement slip, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Major W. Gordon, D.S.O., M.C., St. Mary’s, Duffton, Banffshire’, nearly extremely fine (lot) £5,000-£7,000 --- William Hugh Gibson Gordon was born in Aberdeen in 1920, and was the son of Lieutenant-Colonel William Gordon, D.S.O., M.C. [whose medals were sold in these rooms in April 2003]. Gordon was educated at Mortlach Primary School, and joined the Royal Air Force on a short service commission in 1939. He carried his initial training as pilot at No. 6 F.T.S., Little Rissington, between May and November 1939, and was posted as a Pilot Officer to the recently reformed 234 Squadron at Leconfield in November 1939. The Squadron began to re-equip with Spitfires in March 1940, and became operational on 8 May 1940. Gordon moved with the Squadron to St. Eval, Cornwall, on 16 June 1940, and became actively engaged during the Battle of Britain. Gordon shared in the probable destruction of a Ju.88 on 12 July 1940, when the latter ‘dropped bombs on the aerodrome it was immediately engaged by P/O Lawrence and P/O Gordon, chased out to sea and damaged.’ (Squadron’s Operations Record Book refers) Gordon was involved in multiple daily patrols and interceptions over Devon and Cornwall throughout July and August 1940. He moved with the Squadron to Middle Wallop, Hampshire, on 14 August 1940. Gordon was involved in an inclusive combat four days later: ‘I was in Yellow section in squadron formation proceeding South over Isle of Wight when we met about twenty aircraft - Me.109’s at 1430 hrs. on 18/8/40. We went into the attack and on approaching to within 150 yards of one enemy aircraft I gave him a burst of three seconds. I saw bits fall from his machine. On being attacked myself I broke away violently. I remained on patrol but did not engage again.’ (Recipient’s Combat Report refers). Gordon shot down a Me. 109E of 6/JG2 piloted by Feldwebel Gerhardt Ebus, 24 August 1940. The Squadron’s Operations Record Book gives the following for that date: ‘One interception scramble by 12 aircraft to raid approaching Portsmouth. S/Ldr O’Brien destroyed 1 Me. 109, P/O Gordon destroyed 1 Me. 109, P/O Olenski claimed 1 Me. 109 as probable. P/O Lawrence damaged 1 Me. 110.’ A witness of Gordon’s combat, over the Isle of Wight, was reported thus by the Isle of Wight Chronicle: ‘I first saw the Messerschmitt just as the fighter had got on its tail and was pumping tracer into it. The next moment the Nazi plane went into a steep dive and there was a tiny puff of white as the pilot baled out.... The Messerschmitt came screaming down from a tremendous height. It crashed into a thickly wooded copse within 500 yds of where I stood [in Shanklin Chine]. Members of the Home Guard and Military rushed up. All of us were mystified at the uncanny silence which reined immediately after the plane crashed through the tree tops. A column of smoke guided us to the spot and a fantastic scene provided explanation to the mystery. A few fragments of tail and wings were all that remained above the ground. The fuselage and most of the wings and tail had plunged headlong into a disused well. The force of the impact with the well rim must have crushed the wings in against the body, as there was no sign of any of the main structure of the plane beyond the part of the tail which bore the swastika. Flames and black smoke vomited from the well and twice the ground shook beneath our feet as explosions rumbled far below... An officer arrived and to him a policeman handed over the grotesque crumpled fragment carrying the swastika...’ Gordon’s luck, however, was to shortly run out. He was shot down and killed whilst flying Spitfire I X4035 ‘G’, by an Me.109 over Hadlow Down, Sussex, at 9.10am on 6 September 1940. Gordon piloted one of 12 Spitfires that engaged an enemy formation sighted off Beachy Head near Eastbourne. Initially thought to be only six enemy aircraft, the force turned out to be part of a much larger force escorting a formation of Dornier bombers. Gordon was apparently shot down whilst trying to engage three enemy fighters, and after the War, records indicated that there was a strong possibility that he fell under the guns of the German Ace and Knights Cross holder Gustav Sprick. Regardless of the above - Pilot Officer Gordon’s remains were supposedly recovered at the time from the crash site: ‘When Amalia and Linda [relatives of William Rhodes-Moorhouse, D.F.C. - looking for his body] had discounted and left the crash site at Howbourne Farm, near Hadlow Down, they could not have known that the family of its pilot were also engaged in a similar quest for a lost loved one. Pilot Officer William Gordon came from a well known distilling family and his kin travelled from Scotland to find news of their missing son who had been lost in 234 Squadron Spitfire - also on 6 September 1940. Whatever the trail was that led them to Howbourne Farm we cannot now be certain. However, suffice to say that it ultimately led to the realisation that their missing son was still trapped in the buried wreck of his Spitfire. By good fortune it turned out that civil engineering contractors, Messrs Mowlems, were engaged on government work in the adjacent fields constructing anti-invasion measures such as pill boxes and tank traps. On site with them was a drag line excavator and the machine was quickly put to work extricating the wreckage. Sure enough, the sad remains of Bill ‘Scotty’ Gordon were extricated with the wreck of his aeroplane and he was ultimately laid to rest in the parish church at Mortlach in Banff, Scotland.’ (Finding The Few, by A. Saunders refers) Despite the Army and the RAF spending approximately 10 days excavating the crash site in 1940, it appeared many years later that all was not as it seemed. Permission was gained for the site to be excavated again in 2003, and amongst the surviving wreckage of the aircraft were the remains and most of the named uniform belonging to William Gordon. Ultimately this led to an exhumation of the original grave, and a reburial including the extant remains. This was carried out with full military honours for a second time on 26 June 2003. Sold with the following contemporary items: Commission appointing William Hugh Gibson Gordon as Acting Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force, 13 May 1939, in OHMS delivery tube addressed to ‘Pilot Officer W. H. G. Gordon, No. 234 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Leconfield, Beverley, Yorks’, dated 11 March 1940; Buckingham Palace condolence enclosure, this framed and glazed; a copy of The History Of British Aviation 1908 - 1914, by R. Dallas Brett, insid...
The British War Medal awarded to Lieutenant J. H. Cross, Royal Flying Corps, a D.H.2 pilot who served with 32 Squadron, and who was shot down by the German Ace Leutnant Ernst Baron von Stenglin on 11 March 1917. Cross was later involved in a ‘dog fight’ with three Pour le Mérite winners on 21 March 1917, which ultimately led to the death of Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia British War Medal 1914-20 (2. Lieut. J. H. Cross. R.F.C.) very fine £100-£140 --- John Hassall Cross was born in Anfield, Liverpool, in November 1888. Prior to the Great War, Cross was employed as an Apprentice Naval Architect with Cammell Laird and also served as a Leading Seaman with the Mersey Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, from 1911 to 1914. He joined the 9th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in September 1914, and served in France with the Machine Gun Platoon from July 1915. Suffering from illness Cross returned to the UK in February 1916, and was posted to the 9th Officer Cadet Battalion in Scotland. Cross volunteered for service with the Royal Flying Corps in July 1916, and carried out his initial training as pilot. He was posted for operational flying with 32 Squadron (D.H.2’s) based at Léalvillers, France, in January 1917. On 11 March 1917, Cross took off with a patrol of six aircraft. Five of the six aircraft became casualties of pilots from Jastas 1, 5 and 12, when they were attacked by nine German Albatros. On the flight from the ambush, Cross was attacked by Leutnant Ernst Baron von Stenglin (a 6 ‘Victory’ Ace) from Jasta 1, and he crashed near Le Sars, where Stenglin claimed he had shot down a Vickers. The Combat Report for Cross in this action adds the following: ‘Pilot was attacked by hostile machine who dived at him from the side, he immediately turned towards them and fired upon one whereupon he turned in his previous direction, pilot was thus enabled to fire about 40 rounds at him at about 50 yards range, when he suddenly nose dived apparently out of control.’ Ten days later, on 21 March 1917, Cross was involved in the death of Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia. A six-aircraft flight took off at 1515hrs on a Line Patrol - consisting of Captain Curphey, Lieutenant Pickthorn, Second Lieutenant’s Eccles, Gompartz, Howe and Cross. During the patrol Lieutenant Picthorn shot down Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia, who later died from his wounds. The Prince had been part of a five-aircraft patrol, which comprised of three Pour Le Mérite winners including Werner Voss. On 22 April, Cross brought down an enemy aircraft but it was not confirmed. On 27 May 1917, doctors diagnosed Cross with flying fatigue. He had flown that morning and felt unwell. He had, by this stage, flown operationally for 150 hours. The doctor recommended complete rest and Cross was sent on Home Establishment four days later. The several months of daily operational flying were replaced by being a Ferry Pilot at Hendon. Cross’s last recorded flight was on 6 December 1917, by which time he had amassed some 400 flying hours. Cross was no longer considered fit for flying, and as a consequence transferred to be employed by the Ministry of Shipbuilding, under the auspices of the Admiralty. After the War he was employed by the Furness Shipbuilding Company - first being a Naval Architect, and then progressing to become Managing Director of the company. Cross was awarded a Royal Humane Society’s Certificate for saving a person from drowning in Brighton in 1936. He continued in his capacity at the Furness Shipbuilding Company during the Second World War, and also served as a Major in command of the Furness Works Company, 19th Battalion, Stockton-on-Tees, Home Guard. Cross retired in 1958, having been employed by the company since 1918. In later life he resided in Brighton, where he died in 1971. Sold with memory stick, containing extensive copied research and including photographic images of recipient in later life.
The British War Medal awarded to Captain A. S. Mather, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force, a Sopwith Pup pilot who served with 3 (Naval) Squadron, and was shot down by the German Ace Oberleutnant Adolf Ritter von Tutschek, on the Western Front on 1 May 1917. Mather was taken Prisoner of War, and interned in Germany for the remainder of the War British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt. A. S. Mather. R.A.F.) good very fine £100-£140 --- Arthur Stuart Mather was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, in February 1895. He was educated at the Central Secondary School Sheffield, prior to working a four-year engagement on the Inver Line. Mather was apprenticed as a Third Mate with the Inversnaid of Aberdeen between March 1911 and December 1915. Having advanced to Second Mate, he volunteered for service with the Royal Naval Air Service and was commissioned Temporary Flight Sub Lieutenant (on probation) in June 1916. Mather carried out initial training at Crystal Palace, Eastbourne and East Church, prior to being posted to East Fortune in November 1916, and then to Dover in March 1917. Mather was posted as a pilot for operational service with 3 (Naval) Squadron (Sopwith Pups) in France. He was shot down and taken Prisoner of War on 1 May 1917, whilst escorting a formation of FE2b’s on a reconnaissance to Cambrai. Mather was the 3rd ‘victory’ (of 27) for Pour Le Mérite winner Oberleutnant Adolf Ritter von Tutschek of Jasta 12. A photograph of him being made to pose next to his captured machine by the Germans is illustrated in I Chose The Sky by 3 Squadron contemporary L. H. Rochford. Mather claimed that he shot down an aircraft during the above combat, but it was not substantiated as he was taken Prisoner of War. An article that appeared in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph on 4 January 1919 gives the following: ‘Included in a number of officers recently returned from Germany, is Flight Lieutenant Arthur Stuart Mather, R.A.F., whose parents reside in Sharrow, Sheffield. Flight Lieutenant Mather was attached to the squadron of the renowned Commander Mulock, and was occupied in combating German pilots in May, 1917, when, after having brought down one German machine, he was made the target of other Hun pilots, one of whom shot the controls of Lieutenant Mather’s machine. As a result of this, he was obliged to descend behind the German lines. Since then he has had experiences of typical German treatment in the internment camps at Strohen and Bad-Colberg, but has arrived home physically fit, despite the rigours of life in Germany... The only favoured class is apparently the cynically brutal German officer. As an instance of this, Flight Lieutenant Mather states that the German sentries begged piteously for bread from the British officers... Flight Lieutenant Mather had many and varied experiences of Prussian militarism. On one occasion the Commandant of a camp brought out the armed guard, and ordered each German soldier to load his rifle, and take “mark” every British prisoner... The Commandant instructed the guard to shoot any man who laughed while the order was read a second time.’ Two of Mather’s brothers were killed whilst in service during the Great War, including one who was killed in action on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme. Having been repatriated, Mather returned to his pre-War employment and served as the 4th Officer of the Minnekahda of Belfast, and sailed on the Trans-Atlantic line. He saw employment on a succession of ships, including the Manitou with whom he was active in the evacuation of British and Russian troops from North Russia in 1919. Mather gained his certificate of competency as a Master in the Merchant Service on 6 April 1923, and was frequently employed on the Trans-Atlantic route thereafter. He died in Sheffield in June 1976. Sold with memory stick, containing extensive copied research.
The emotive Great War pair awarded to R.E.8 pilot Lieutenant A. C. Pepper, 59 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who was shot down by the German Ace Leutnant Kurt Wolff, during “Bloody April”, on 6 April 1917. Pepper was wounded and taken Prisoner of War, whilst his observer, Lieutenant W. L. Day, was killed - his pocket watch accompanying Pepper’s medals. Pepper was interrogated, and interned in the infamous Holzminden camp - from where he tried to escape in July 1918 British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. A. C. Pepper. R.A.F.) with damaged Pocket Watch by Sewill, Liverpool, reverse of shell engraved ‘Lt. W. L. Day RFC’, medals generally good very fine (lot) £400-£500 --- Arthur Chaytor/Clayton Pepper was born in Yardley, Warwickshire, in July 1896, and educated at Bromsgrove School. He was the son of Arthur J. Pepper, the owner of Arthur J. Pepper and Co. Ltd, manufacturing jewellers. Pepper was a Cadet in Birmingham University O.T.C. from November 1914, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 12th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. He volunteered for service with the Royal Flying Corps in 1916, and was posted to the Flying School in Aboukir, Egypt in October 1916. Pepper was posted as a pilot for operational flying with 59 Squadron (R.E. 8’s) in March 1917. Pepper joined the Squadron just in time to be engaged for “Bloody April”. On the morning of 6 April, 59 Squadron sent six R.E.8s on a photographic reconnaissance patrol in the vicinity of Vimy Ridge. One aircraft had a camera, the other five were used as protection. The flight left at 0935hrs with Pepper, and his observer Captain William Leonard “Leon” Day, acting as one of the escorts. Pepper’s R.E.8 was hit by anti-aircraft fire and then attacked by three Albatros scouts, part of a large German attack formation consisting of aircraft from Jasta’s 2, 3 and 11. Pepper and Day fell to the guns of the celebrated German Ace, Leutnant Kurt Wolff (33 ‘Victories’), near Bois Bernard, at 1015hrs. Of the six aircraft, three were lost, with five of the six aircrew killed, and Pepper wounded and captured. This was the worst day of Bloody April. Pepper wrote the following to Day’s family from Karlsruhe POW Camp, 5 May 1917: ‘Perhaps you would like to have the details of his end. We were detailed, with several other machines, for duty across the lines. Leon and myself were quite excited when we heard the news as it was his first time across. We went several miles over the lines when the machine was hit by an anit-aircraft shell which broke one of my controls and damaged the machine considerably. Immediately afterwards we were attacked by three enemy fast machines and poor Leon was hit fatally within a few seconds of the beginning of the fight. How I escaped miraculously with a wound in my arm and bad shaking after all my controls had been shot away and the machine had crashed from several thousand feet, does not matter here, but when I came round they told me that poor old Leon had passed away. I was grief-stricken when the little German doctor brought the news, and for days wished that it had been me, for in a way a pilot feels himself half responsible for his observer. I have a few personal belongings of his which the Dr gave me from his pockets, these I will send you as soon as I am liberated.’ Day’s last words were ‘Pepper, I’m hit’. In all likelihood his family allowed Pepper to keep the watch as a memento of their friendship. There are pictures of the crashed aircraft and the deceased body of Day known. There is also a famous picture of Wolff, in his study, with the shot down aircraft’s serial number (amongst several others) on the wall behind him. Pepper, once recovered, was interned at Karlsruhe and eventually at the infamous Holzminden Camp - arriving in the same month as the mass escape. The following additional detail of this time is added by Under The Guns of The Kaiser’s Ace’s: The Germans appeared to have treated Pepper shabbily from the moment he was captured. The wound in his arm - apart from a cursory dressing by a medical orderly - was neglected for five days as he lay in solitude and isolation in a prison cell. His suspicion that he was being ‘softened up’ for interrogation was confirmed when a smooth-talking German officer arrived to apologise profusely for the neglect, promising him better treatment if he would just answer a few questions. Pepper declined and was sent on his way to Karlsruhe. From Karlsruhe he was transferred to Treves where an energetic escape committee was beavering away on a large tunnel. Unfortunately, the tunnel was discovered virtually at the moment it was finished, leaving those concerned with the suspicion that the Germans had known about it for some time and had allowed the prisoners to expend their energy and ingenuity to no purpose - a massive blow to morale. In July 1918, Pepper was sent to the dreaded Holzminden camp with its equally despised commandant, Hauptmann Niemeyer. Pepper was high on the escape list for the famous Holzminden tunnel from which it was hoped 150 to 200 prisoners would escape. The first batch reached the tunnel mouth and set off on their pre-planned routes but then the breakout was beset with problems including a man getting stuck in the narrow passage. By the time it was all sorted out, daylight stopped any further departures. Niemeyer, who had considered his camp escape-proof, was furious and made life extremely unpleasant for the remaining prisoners....’ Pepper was repatriated in December 1918, and after the War not only took over the family business, but was also the Chairman of a number of other companies, including agricultural engineering firms. In later life Pepper resided at The Old Cottage, Sharpway Gate, Bromsgrove. He died in February 1971. Sold with memory stick, containing extensive copied research, and copied service papers, which include photographic images of recipient.
The Victory Medal awarded to Lieutenant A. O. Balaam, Suffolk Regiment and Royal Flying Corps, a R.E.8 pilot who served with 16 Squadron, and was shot down and killed by the German Ace Julius Buckler, on the Western Front on 24 October 1917 Victory Medal 1914-19 (Lieut. A. O. Balaam.) good very fine £100-£140 --- Augustus Orlando Balaam was the son of a tailor from Essex, and resided at 9 Ashgrove Road, Goodmayes, Essex. He was commissioned in the 5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, and volunteered for service with the Royal Flying Corps in 1917. Balaam carried out pilot training at the Central Flying School in May 1917, advanced to Lieutenant in June, and was posted for operational service with 16 Squadron (RE.8s) in France in August 1917. Balaam undertook a number of photographic reconnaissance missions throughout August and September 1917. These were carried out with a variety of Observers, including on one occasion with Captain Woolf Barnato, R.F.A., a racing driver who went on to win at Le Mans on three occasions after the War. A similar flying pattern carried on through into October, but a more regular partnership with Second Lieutenant D. Prince-Smith started to form towards the end of the month. This culminated with the pair being shot down and killed as the 19th ‘Victory’ of the 36 ‘Victory’ German Ace Julius Buckler, of Jasta 17, on 24 October 1917: ‘On 24 October the weather cleared up and plenty of aerial combat ensued. Buckler once again found an RE 8 (from No. 16 Sqn) out on an artillery-spotting mission over Méricourt at 0320 hrs. The pilot, Lt. A. O. Balaam, and his observer, 2Lt. D. Prince-Smith, put up the best fight they could, but against a foe of Buckler’s calibre they had little chance. The doomed RE 8 (B5896) was hit hard and spun down out of control to 180 metres, at which point it nose-dived in flames into the sodden ground - both men were killed.’ Balaam and Prince-Smith were buried next to each other at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension. Sold with copied research, and a memory stick, containing further copied research, a photographic image of recipient and images from various of his photographic reconnaissance missions.
Old Tobacco & Cigarette Tins to include. Rhodesian Cigarettes, Weinberg's Mahalla Cigarettes, Players Gold Leaf Navy Cut large, Ogden's Redbreast, Ogden's Gold Leaf Navy Cut Small, Rothmans Empire Coin Cut, Dill's Best Smoking Tobacco, Rich Dark Flake, Ogden's Spade Ace Cut Cake, Old Castle Navy Cut, State Express 555, Musketeer Tobacco, Classic Curly Cut, Indian Sticks, Will's O.K Flake, Jack O Diamonds Tobacco, Cohen & Weenen Royal Seal, Avoca Mixture, Craven Mixture, Preedy's Q.E.D. Player's Medium Navy Cut, Capstan Navy Cut, John Sinclair Punchbowle, Barneys Pleasure, Quinneys, Ogden's Red Breast, Peerage Curly Cut, Mitchell's Prize Crop, Rothmans Royal Favourites, Sweet Nut Medium, Sweet Nut Full, Recorder, Cameron's Pocket Slice, Bulwark Cut Plug, Will's Legation, City Lights, The Balkan Sobranie, H.L Savory & Co, Ringer's Forum, Player's Navy Cut, John Sinclair Hickory, Ogden's Redbreast, Sweet Briar Flake, Quinneys, Sarony Cigarettes, Benson & Hedges Mellow Virginia, Grouse Moor Cigarettes Pkt. 47 tins and 1pkt in total housed two wooden cabinets. Glass front to one cabinet is cracked. Please note: All tins are empty unless otherwise stated. We can offer in-house postage on the tins, but any cabinets are collection only.
Old Cigarette Tins to include: Wallbrook Esquire American, Bacon Brothers Bacons Gold Flake, D Macropolo's Brown Perfumed Cigarettes, D M Macropolo Murad Turkish Cigarettes No2 (Full Tin), Sobranie Black & Gold Russian, Liggett & Myers Chesterfield, Churchman's No1, Rothmans White Horse, Philip Morris English Blend, Camel Turkish & Domestic Blend, Cope Bros Golden Cloud, Bears Elephant, Ardath State Express 555 3 variations, State Express No 999, Cavander's Medium Navy Cut, Wills The Three Castles, Godfrey Phillips B.D.V Extra Mild, The Japan Tobacco Corp Peace, Will's Berkeley, Senior Service, Rothmans King Size, Teofanie No1, Will's Passing Clouds, Lambert & Butler The Garrick, Player's Navy Cut Gold Leaf (Full Tin), Player's Navy Cut Medium 3 Variations, Sobranie Virginia N040, Abdulla Salisbury Turkish, Abdulla Virginia Leaf, Players Perfectos Finos 2 variations, Carreras The Sackville, Carreras White Eagle, Lambert & Butler The Garrick, Rothmans Navy Cut Medium, Churchman's No1, John Cotton Nassord King Size, Carreras Craven A, Wills Wild Woodbine, Wills Woodbine Export, Players Navy Cut Medium x 2, Players Navy Cut White Tin, P.J Carroll Sweet Afton, Macropolo's Virginia Special, Ardath Double Ace, Demy Stefano Pearl D Orient, Louis Gerard Cavalcade, Players Golden Glory, Godfrey Phillips Orchid, Ardath, State Express 333, Benson & Hedges, State Express 555, Cyril Bailey The Times, De Reszke Turkish (Full Tin), National Tobacco Company Regent, Wills Capstan Navy Cut Medium Strength, Senior Service, 2 Variations, Carreras Craven Plain, John Cotton Edinburgh. Some very scarce tins among this lot. 66 tins in total housed in two wooden display cabinets. Note 3 full unopened tins in this lot. Please note: All tins are empty unless otherwise stated. We can offer in-house postage on the tins, but any cabinets are collection only.
Pokemon - A collection of eight graded Pokemon cards majority being graded by Getgraded. Lot consists of three Shine Together Chinese language cards,being Blastoise & Piplup GX 003/150 - 2023 graded Mint 9 overall, Slowpoke & Psyduck GX 004/150 graded Mint 9 overall, Umbreon & Darkrai GX 044/150 graded Mint 9 overall; together with three Vstar Universe Japanese language cards, being Latias 195/172 - 2022 graded Mint+ 9.5 overall, Dunsparce 198/172 graded Mint+ 9.5 overall, Hisuian Zoroark Vstar 234/172 graded Near Mint+ 8.5 overall; plus two 2023 Japanese language cards, being Shining Synergy Eevee & Snorlax GX Holo # 103 SCHN set C graded 10 Gem Mint, and Shiny Treasure EX Wigglytuff EX Holo # 141 Japan graded 10 Gem Mint - the latter two being graded by Ace Grading. (This does not constitute a guarantee) (K)
Dapol - Corgi - 3 Dapol Doctor Who Figures to include #W008-7 Red & Gold Dalek, #W008-2 Black & Gold Dalek and #W015 Ace. Also a TY96203 Dr Who 40th Anniversary Gift Set. Items appear to be in mint condition. Packaging appears mostly very good-excellent; some storage wear to Ace blister, Corgi set is internal factory sealed in shrink wrap. (This does not constitute a guarantee) RG
Pokemon - A graded collection of seven collectible Pokemon cards, most of which are Japanese language cards, graded by Ace Grading. Lot consists of Shining Synergy 2023 Latias & Latias GX Holo # 108 SCHN set A graded 9 Mint overall, Black Star Promo Eevee #043 Blister Pack graded 9 Mint overall, 2021 Gengar Vmax Holo, High Class Deck #002 in graded 8 Near Mint to Mint, 2023 Obsidian Flames Charmeleon #027 graded 9 Mint overall, 2023 Obsidian Flames Charizard EX Full Art # 215 graded 9 Mint overall, 2022 Pokemon Go Melmetal Vmax Holo #048 graded 10 Gem Mint overall, and 2023 Ancient Roar Brute Bonnet Art Rare #077 graded 10 Gem Mint overall. (This does not constitute a guarantee) (K)
Clayton Kelly Gross Signed Hardback Book Live Bait WWII Memories of an undefeated Fighter Ace, Signed on the Title page, with 309 pages. We combine shipping on all lots. Single book £5.99 UK, £7.99 Europe, £9.99 ROW. We can ship a parcel up to 20kg which will take approx. 40 books in UK £12, EUROPE £39.99, ROW, £59.99
Roald Dahl (1916-1990), a signed 1989 Games and Toys Official NSPCC FDC. A British author of popular children's literature and wartime fighter ace. His books have sold more than 300 million copies worldwide. Dahl has been called one of the greatest storytellers for children of the 20th century. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
Jan Stirling (1921-2004), a signed and dedicated 10x8 inch photo. An actress who appeared in over thirty films and whose best performance is often considered to be opposite Kirk Douglas, as the opportunistic wife in Billy Wilder's 1951 Ace in the Hole. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 Luftwaffe fighter ace Werner Molge KC signed 7 x 5 inch b/w portrait photo along with a super career biography card. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 RAF Robert Foster DFC Battle of Britain RAF fighter pilot signed Hurricane photo. 12 x 8 colour hand signed photo. Wing Commander Bob Foster was one of the heroes of the Battle of Britain, flying Hurricanes and Spitfires with 605 Squadron. He was credited with destroying and damaging a number of enemy aircraft; later in the war he destroyed at least five Japanese aircraft while flying from airfields in northern Australia. The squadron was stationed for much of the early years of the war at Drem, just outside Edinburgh, from where they patrolled the North Sea. It was sent south in May 1940 to cover the evacuation from Dunkirk and then returned to Drem. The squadron was moved south in September when Foster was heavily engaged in the Battle of Britain, and at the end of that month he achieved his first success, damaging an enemy plane while his own Hurricane was hit by enemy fire in the dog fight. The following month he shot down two enemy aircraft and shared in the destruction of another. Further kills followed and he chased a German bomber out to sea. In September 1941, he joined a fighter training unit as an instructor. He was transferred to Australia to join two Spitfire squadrons of the Royal Australian Air Force which flew from Darwin to counter Japanese bombing raids. Foster flew the first Spitfire to shoot down a Japanese aircraft and in June 1943 he led his squadron into a pitched air battle with 30 Japanese bombers. He was the third pilot to claim five successes over Australia (earning him the title of ace ) and a few weeks later he was awarded a DFC. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 Luftwaffe fighter ace Oberstleutnant Hans Joachim Jabs KC signed 6x4 inch black and white photo. Hans-Joachim Jabs (14 November 1917 - 26 October 2003) was a German officer in the Luftwaffe during World War II. Jabs was the rare case of a pilot who found success in two distinctly different forms of aerial combat. He was one of the few pilots to obtain Experte while flying a heavy daytime fighter. Surviving the Battle of Britain, he later became one of the most successful pilots in the night fighter force. The skill sets for the two operations were completely different. Through 510 combat missions he was credited with 50 victories, 31 of them achieved at night. Following the war he became a successful businessman in the field of heavy agricultural equipment. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 Peter Ayerst DFC Battle of Britain RAF fighter pilot signed Hurricane photo. 12 x 8 colour hand signed photo. Peter Vigne Ayerst, DFC (4 November 1920 - 15 May 2014) was a Royal Air force officer and flying ace of the Second World War. He was the last surviving No. 73 Squadron pilot and test pilot from Castle Bromwich Aerodrome. Ayerst was commissioned into the Royal Air Force on 14 December 1938 as an acting pilot officer on probation. In August 1939, he was posted to No. 73 Squadron RAF to fly Hurricanes. He was regraded to pilot officer on probation on 3 September 1939 and his commission was confirmed on 6 October 1939. He was sent to France with the squadron and scored his first victory in April 1940. After a spell instructing, when he shared in the destruction of a He 111 with two other instructors, he had postings with both 145 and 243 Squadrons. In July 1942 he went to North Africa with 33 Squadron, before being promoted to flight commander with 238 Squadron, both postings with further combat success. After a period in South Africa, he returned to the UK, joining 124 Squadron flying Spitfire MkVIIs in defence of the invasion ports, where he scored his final victory; then flew Spitfire MkIXs on bomber escorts to Germany. He later became a Spitfire test pilot at Castle Bromwich with the instruction of Alex Henshaw. After the war, he became one of the most highly regarded wartime instructors in the RAF. His final victory tally stood at 5 destroyed, 1 probable, 3 damaged and 2 further destroyed on the ground. In September 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 fighter ace Grp Capt George Burgess DFC signed on his own historic aviators cover. Gladiator and Hurricane ace Malta 1940. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 Luftwaffe fighter ace Oberst Erhard Nipper KC signed 7 x 5 inch b/w portrait photo along with a super career biography card. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 Luftwaffe fighter ace Oberst Hajo Herrmann KC OL S signed 7 x 5 inch b/w portrait photo along with a super career biography card. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 Uboat commander Korvettenkapitan Helmut Witte signed 6x4 inch b/w photo. Korvettenkapitan with the Kriegsmarine during World War II. As commander of the Type IXC U-boat U-159, he sank twenty-three ships on four patrols, for a total of 119, 554 tons of Allied shipping, to become the 20th highest scoring U-Boat ace of World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 US fighter ace Mjr Robert Moore, 12 victories signed Mjr Scott historic aviators cover, lots info on Moore inside. Limited edition number 11 of 11 issued, scarce. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 RAF Peter Ayerst DFC Battle of Britain WW2 RAF fighter pilot signed Hurricane photo. 12 x 8 colour hand signed photo. Peter Vigne Ayerst, DFC (4 November 1920 - 15 May 2014) was a Royal Air force officer and flying ace of the Second World War. He was the last surviving No. 73 Squadron pilot and test pilot from Castle Bromwich Aerodrome. Ayerst was commissioned into the Royal Air Force on 14 December 1938 as an acting pilot officer on probation. In August 1939, he was posted to No. 73 Squadron RAF to fly Hurricanes. He was regraded to pilot officer on probation on 3 September 1939 and his commission was confirmed on 6 October 1939. He was sent to France with the squadron and scored his first victory in April 1940. After a spell instructing, when he shared in the destruction of a He 111 with two other instructors, he had postings with both 145 and 243 Squadrons. In July 1942 he went to North Africa with 33 Squadron, before being promoted to flight commander with 238 Squadron, both postings with further combat success. After a period in South Africa, he returned to the UK, joining 124 Squadron flying Spitfire MkVIIs in defence of the invasion ports, where he scored his final victory; then flew Spitfire MkIXs on bomber escorts to Germany. He later became a Spitfire test pilot at Castle Bromwich with the instruction of Alex Henshaw. After the war, he became one of the most highly regarded wartime instructors in the RAF. His final victory tally stood at 5 destroyed, 1 probable, 3 damaged and 2 further destroyed on the ground. In September 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
Great War fighter ace Leonard Rochford DSC signed 1981, official Navy cover comm. 65th ann of destruction of Zeppelin L21 by RNAS. Leonard Henry Rochford, DSC and Bar, DFC (10 November 1896 - 17 December 1986) was a British flying ace of the First World War, credited with 29 aerial victories. He returned to military service in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 Luftwaffe fighter ace Oberfeldwebel Eduard Isken KC signed 6x4 inch black and white photo. Eduard Isken (15 April 1918 - 7 January 1997) was a Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. During his career Eduard Isken was credited with 56 aerial victories. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
WW2 Luftwaffe Stuka ace Brig Artur Pipal KC signed 2000 Battle of Britain Defence medal cover. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
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