A review of our recent Aviation & Military History, Medals & Militaria sale (November 2024)

Henry Meadows MRICS, our medals and militaria expert, reflects on a highly successful Military & Aviation History, Medals & Militaria specialist auction held here at Dominic Winter on 21 November.

The 400 lot auction included several single-owner collections including “The Bill Townsend Dambusters Collection”, sold on behalf of the Townsend family. Flight Lieutenant William “Bill” Townsend, C.G.M. was the last pilot home from the famous ‘Dambusters Raid’.

The Raid took place on the night of 16/17 May 1943. The mission involved attacking German dams, using specially designed ‘bouncing bombs’ developed by Barnes Wallis. The primary targets for 617 Squadron were the Möhne, Eder and Sorpe Dams in the Ruhr Valley.  

These dams were critical to Germany’s industrial operations. Townsend’s aircraft, Lancaster AJ-O, was one of three aircraft held back in reserve, then cleared for take-off at 00:14 on Sunday 17 May. Their mission was the bombing of one of the secondary targets, the Ennepe Dam.  

After three attempts their bomb was finally dropped at 03:37 but, after bouncing twice, it exploded short of the dam. Townsend then turned for home, passing over the Möhne dam, where he and the crew witnessed the devastation. With dawn fast approaching, Lancaster AJ-O had a hair-raising journey back to base. As they approached the Dutch coast, the Germans opened fire and their aircraft was hit by heavy flak.

They landed at 06:15 with only three engines working, and were greeted by a group of Bomber Command’s most senior officers, including ‘Bomber’ Harris. 

The collection comprised Townsend’s WWII RAF logbooks which recorded the raid and were signed twice by Guy Gibson. Estimated at £10,000-15,000, the bidding commenced and, after a slow start, with nobody willing to declare their hand, a flurry of bids followed. It came down to two telephone bidders with the final bid winning these historic logbooks for £29,000 (premium inclusive £35,960).

Other lots included a pair of RAF 1939 pattern black leather flying boots worn by Townsend on the raid, these achieved £5600 (£6944). Two oil paintings by Mike Gardener titled “Take Off” and “Return” sold extremely well, the first for a hammer price of £2600 (£3224), the latter £2800 (£3472). Both paintings had been commissioned for Townsend and were hung in pride of place in his home. 

Another logbook which attracted great interest was the Battle of Britain logbook kept by Pilot Officer Kenneth Cox, 610 Squadron. Cox was credited for two aerial victories against enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain but was tragically killed on 28 August 1940 when his Spitfire was shot down over Canterbury .

The logbook, along with Cox’s flying goggles and a black and white photograph, was part of "The Norman Parker Aviation Collection". The winning bid exceeded the paltry £500-800 estimate, selling to a phone bidder for a whopping £19,000 (£23,560). Norman Parker (1926-2024) devoted his life to aviation and this result was a fitting testament to his devotion.

Shortly before the auction we received images of a sword that was instantly recognisable as a Persian Shamshir, of curved form with a rhino horn grip and elaborate silver scabbard and mounts. Stylistically it was early 19^th century. Henry Meadows, our military specialist, arranged to visit the client to have a closer look and was surprised to discover that this sword was in fact a presentation sword presented to Major-General Sir Hugh Robert Rollo Gillespie K.C.B. for his part in the suppression of mutineers at Vellore on 10 July 1806.

On taking this sword back to the auction rooms for further research, it quickly transpired that Gillespie was a significant historical figure and can only be described as “a bit of a lad”. In a nutshell, Gillespie killed an opponent in a duel, was arrested for fraud, scaled up walls to rally the men during the Indian Vellore Mutiny of 1806, killed a tiger with a spear and met his demise after being shot by a sniper in Nepal in 1814.

Gillespie was once described by military historian Sir Fortescue as "the bravest man to ever wear a red coat" and he has a monument in his home town of Comber in Ireland and another in St Pauls Cathedral, London. The sword had a pre-sale estimate of £3000-5000 and after an exciting battle between two phone bidders the gavel was knocked down to the successful bidder for £10,000 (£12,400).

These are just three highlights from our last Military sale of the year, which show great strength in the market.

There were other highlights, including a fine Victorian officers' lance cap of the 21st Empress of India Lancers belonging to Major William Markham Doyne who led the charge of 'C' Squadron during the Battle of Omdurman on 2 September 1898. This sold for £6200.

An intriguing copy of the Indian Mutiny Victoria Cross awarded to sponge-man Gunner William Connolly of the Bengal Horse Artillery who, although severely wounded by several musket balls and causing him great faintness and partial unconsciousness, refused to retire from the battle and worked on tirelessly, shouting to his commanding officer 'No sir, I'll not go there whilst I can work here'. Connolly remained at his post before finally collapsing from loss of blood' (£4216).

A very early and original RAF sector clock, circa 1937, which was previously purchased from Circadian (UK) Ltd, Specialists in Aero Memorabilia (Lt Col Bob Gardner, author of A History of Clocks in the RAF) (£5704).

Our specialist Military auctions are held twice a year and there are so many exciting stories to be told. For further information about any of these lots or to consign, please contact our specialist Henry Meadows on 01285 860006 or send him an email (henry@dominicwinter.co.uk). Alternatively, you can use the valuation form on our website.