A set of nine medals presented to second world war Spitfire ace Ronald Berry has sold for £120,000 ($201,636) at Spink London.
Air commodore Berry was considered one of the finest fighter pilots of his era, dominating the skies over Britain and north Africa.
 Ronald Berry was one of the greatest British fighter pilots of the second world war |
He was one of a handful of officers chosen to lead Winston Churchill's funeral procession in 1965.
The medals included an OBE, a distinguished service order and a variety of flying crosses. They were sold alongside a range of documents that tell the story of his phenomenal wartime career.
A 1917 gold Albert medal also sold well at the April 24 auction, making £18,000 ($30,245).
It was presented to Lance-Corporal J Collins "For Gallantry in Attempting to Save the Life of an Armed Lunatic Who Had Escaped His Charge at an Advanced Field Dressing Station".
A 1918 edition of the London Gazette reported: "Collins ran after him, and when he got near him the man threatened to throw a bomb at him. Collins closed with the man, who then withdrew the pin from the bomb and let it fall in the trench.
"In an endeavour to save the patient and two other soldiers who were near, Collins put his foot upon the bomb, which exploded, killing the lunatic and injuring Collins severely; fortunately the two soldiers were not hurt."
Despite the shrapnel embedded in his leg, Collins went on to captain football team Swansea AFC for 15 years - winning them the third division championship in 1924-1925.
We have a fascinating range of militaria available.
Click here for our free newsletter.
