A set of medals awarded to RAF bomber pilot Major Nick Knilans is to auction at Dix Noonan Webb.
It will be offered in London on September 8, with a £12,000-15,000 ($18,751-23,439) valuation.
 Major Knilans was a highly decorated RAF bomber pilot |
The collection contains 12 medals, including a Distinguished Service Order and a Distinguished Flying Cross.
Knilans was born in Wisconsin but travelled to Canada to join the RCAF following the outbreak of the second world war. He was drafted into the RAF, where he proved himself a phenomenal pilot. He was the only member of his flight school to survive the war.
The auction house explains: "A superb pilot, he was 'saved' by the intervention of [wing commander] Cheshire on the occasion he 'buzzed' 617's Officers' Mess at the Petwood Hotel: his Lancaster roared over the roof with only two or three feet to spare and so frightened a W.A.A.F that she dropped the entire contents of a tea tray over the Station C.O., Group Captain Philpott."
Other lots in the sale include a military general service medal that carries an estimate of £8,000-12,000 ($12,469-18,704).
It was awarded to Private Jean Baptiste Lapierre.
Lapierre was the only soldier to be awarded all three clasps for each of the battles in the War of 1812 (Fort Detroit, Chateauguay and Chrystler's Farm).
It's considered a hugely important US medal and has passed through some key collections over the years, including the Whitaker Collection.
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