Distinguished Flying Crosses battle for the highest spot at Dominic Winter next week

Next week, Dominic Winter auction is going to hold its long anticipated auction to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

The sale, comprising around 800 lots, will cover various kinds of collectibles centred on militaria and aviation history, but with substantial collections of material related to railway and maritime memorabilia on offer too.

Perhaps surprisingly, there are not many medal lots on offer. But two sets which are on offer are well worth a look:

Firstly, there is a Royal Air Force DFC group of five medals awarded to Squadron Leader M.V. 'Shorty' Longbottom.

This consists of a Distinguished Flying Cross, a George VI coronation medal (dated 1940 on reverse) in case of issue, a1939/45 Star, an Air Crew Europe Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939/45 and all mounted court style, in good/very fine condition or better is a strong investment if it sells for the expected £2,000-3,000.

The rare of the two however is a fine Malta DFC group of eight medals awarded to Group Captain P.D. Thompson, headed by a RAFVR Distinguished Flying Cross GVIR (dated 1942 on the reverse) and a 1939-45 Star with Battle of Britain clasp.

Thompson DFC medal group
Thompson DFC medal group

The other medals list off as follows: Atlantic Star with France & Germany clasp; Africa Star with North Africa 1942-43 clasp; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45 with Mention in Despatches oakleaf on ribbon and an Air Efficiency Award GVIR (Flt Lt P D Thompson, RA.F.V.R).

Mounted court style, and in Good/Very Fine condition or better, they are currently displayed in a velvet backed frame with full dress pilot's wings.

Group Captain Peter Thompson was a wartime fighter ace, and was awarded the DFC in January 1942 for his service in the defence of Malta, during which he raised his personal score to six enemy aircraft.

The lot comes with some excellent accompanying memorabilia: a Mention in Despatches certificate, two original portrait photographs, a copy of his obituary and even his pilot's logbook. The whole is expected to sell for £15,000 to £20,000 in the sale which takes place on Thursday 11 November 2010 in Gloucester, UK and online.

 

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