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Lot 150
Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s was proud to present the recent Medal Auction in the series "At Sea, On Land and In the Air" at 399 Strand on Tuesday 24 September August, comprising 248 lots of rare, unique and highly collectible pieces curated by militaria expert Mark Smith. The auction included items starting from £10 to £10,000, appealing to all levels of collector, and the strong results are demonstrated in many sale highlights performing extremely well – some exceeding their estimates by considerable multiples.
Highlights of the auction included Lot 150, the incredible and rare Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) awarded to Sergeant Derrick John Allen, Air Gunner of 467 Squadron, who, on the 2nd of November 1944 returning from an Operation to Dusseldorf as the Mid-Upper Gunner of Lancaster DV396, was attacked several times by a night fighter which left the Lancaster almost uncontrollable and with an engine on fire. As the crew prepared to leave the aircraft it was discovered that the rear gunner was trapped in his turret. Sgt Allen immediately went to his aid, knowing that the bomber could break up at any moment. He used an axe to chop open the doors of the turret, having done this he succeeded in freeing the rear gunner and they made their way forward to bail out but before being able to do so the Lancaster broke up. Sgt Allen found himself in mid-air and pulled the parachute ripcord, landing in a tree after a very low descent. The Rear Gunner Flight Sergeant William John Lemin was killed when he hit the ground. Sgt Allen was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal Flying and this was presented by His Majesty the King George VI at Buckingham Palace on the 12th of March 1946.
The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal was sold with a 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, 1939-45 War Medal, all unnamed ad issued, mounted for war, very fine. In addition, Sergeant Derrick John Allen’s Flying Log Book for Navigators, Air Bombers Air Gunners and Flight Engineers, MK4 Flying Goggles, Impellor of DV396 engine, Perspex from mid upper turret, Ball race from mid-upper turret, Perspex inspection hatch and landing light all recovered from the crash site of Lancaster DV396. A most comprehensive, poignant and incredible group, the extraordinary lot also comprised over 140 original photographs, 467 Squadron reunion material, original photograph outside Buckingham Palace, letters, cards and post cards. Estimated at £10,000 – 14,000, the lot ultimately sold for £18,000 including fees.
Also garnering interest was Lot 191 – a Police Pair awarded to Police Constable Francis Symonds, H Division – Whitechapel who served in 1888 at the time of the Whitechapel Murders, comprising, Jubilee (Police) Medal 1887, (PC, F. Symonds. H. Divn), Coronation (Police) Medal 1902, in Bronze, (P.C. F. Symonds. X Div.), lightly toned very fine. Police Constable Francis Symonds Warrant Number 54716 joined H Division in 1871 and left on the 11th of May 1892. His name appears in the list of H Division personnel in “The Case Book of Jack The Ripper”. Sold with a “The Metropolitan” Patent Whistle, the item was estimated at £140 – 180. This lot sold for £1,920 including fees – over 10 times its high estimate.
Lot 94
Further highlights from the sale:
- Lot 13 – A Died of Wounds Officers Sutlej Medal 1845-46. Estimated at £800 – 1,200, the item sold for £2,640 including fees.
- Lot 91 – a collection of seven medals serving four monarchs. The Boer War Great War, Afghanistan, Long and Meritorious Service Group of 7 awarded to Warrant Officer Class 1 Charles Henry Simmonds The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. Estimated at £350 – 450, the item sold for £1,560 including fees.
- Lot 94 – 124-year-old Rowntree chocolate + 7 clasp Queen’s South Africa Medal. Estimated £750 – 850, the item sold for £1,020 including fees.
- Lot 145 – Military Cross and Great War Trio awarded to Lieutenant John Blair Rodger, 2nd Scottish Horse Yeomanry awarded the MC for “Bringing in wounded under heavy fire and for holding a Trench against heavy odds in Gallipoli”. Estimated at £1,000 – 1,500, the lot sold for £2,400 including fees.
- Lot 226 – Miniature DSO group of Brevet Colonel Charles Sydney Collison, 1st Battalion Middlesex and 11th (Service) Battalion Warwickshire Regiment who was the Commanding Officer and author of “The 11th Royal Warwicks in France1915-1916” which was presented to the Imperial War Museum in 1928. Estimated at £120 – 160, this item sold for £576 including fees.
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