TREASURES OF WAR
Superb confirmed U-Boat 'kill' RAF log book,
medals and photo album to Wireless / Air gunner
58 squadron Bomber and Coastal Command
flight lieutenant Eric Jones "titch"
A wartime bomber and coastal command log book, medals and photo album group to a RAF sergeant, Eric Jones.
Sergeant Jones was posted to RAF bomber command, 58 squadron, Linton-on-Ouse, in December 1941. Here he was flying in the cumbersome twin engined Whitley bombers, as a wireless operator / air gunner. His first operational flight was on the 15th February 1942, to St. Nazaire, flying with squadron leader Harvey as his Wop. Further operations then followed to Norway, and to St. Nazaire. In April 1942 the squadron was transferred to coastal command. Now based at RAF St. Eval the squadron flew anti-submarine patrols over the western approaches as part of number 19 RAF group. Sgt. Jones was now flying as a regular crew member with flight sergeant Stark's crew. Further anti-submarine patrols and ship escorts were completed, then on 2nd May 1942 they sighted and attacked a German U-Boat, the results of the attack are unclear, still being researched, Many more patrols are listed in Jones log book, with some lasting for over 9 hours. This must have been near the maximum endurance for the old Whitley bomber.
At the start of 1943 the squadron are re-equipped with the 4 engine Halifax bomber. After the conversion course was complete, in March, the squadron re-commence u-boat patrols. On 11th May 1943, (now) pilot officer Stark with sgt Jones (nick-named titch) as wireless operator, the crew of the Halifax HR 742 (D) were ordered to escort a naval convoy with the HMS Fleetwood and HMS Mignonette in the bay of biscay. After meeting up with the convoy the Halifax crew located two submarines one being U-528, the HMS Fleetwood carried out a series of depth charge and gunfire attacks on the submarine, forcing U-528 to surface, where she was shelled by HMS Fleetwood and the HMS Mignonette and proceeded to attack the nearest 'shadowing' U-Boat with depth charges. Once hit, the stern of the sub seemed to lift and roll before disappearing, and a large piece of debris was thrown up by what seemed to be a secondary explosion, this lifted the bow from the sea only to sink again. Afterwards a large oil slick could be observed where the U-Boat had been. Stark and his crew were later confirmed as U-Boat 'kill', with HMS Fleetwood & there Halifax bomber being jointly credited with sinking the U-528, one of only a small number of RAF crew during the war, this superb group comes with his superb photo album with photos taken at the time from the Halifax of the sinking of U-528, these are unique and unpublished.
Photos from the album of the sinking of U-Boat U528​
Beginning of August 1943 saw them on another u-boat (a/s) patrol when they sighted 3 enemy destroyers. Closing in, but still at a distance of 3 miles, the Halifax came under fire from the enemy destroyers and was hit by an explosive shell which damaged the cockpit area. The result was the wounding of the second pilot. They immediately returned safely back to base at St Eval. On 12th October 1943, on a/s patrol they again sighted a U-Boat on the surface some 2 miles in the distance. Attacking at once they dropped six 250lb torpex depth charges from a height of only 100 feet. Black coloured depth charge explosion plumes were observed on either side of the submarine which submerged almost at once. Only a possible 'kill' this time ! After another a/s patrol Sgt. Jones tour of operations with the squadron came to an end and he was posted on leave.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​After leave he crewed up with a new pilot F/Lt Mallinson, and Jones found himself serving a second tour with RAF 224 squadron this time flying in Liberator's. Eric Jones flew on many more patrols with his new crew, of which brought him promotion to officer status. Staying with 224 squadron until his last flight on 28th January 1946, then being de mobbed with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. Eric Jones wartime RAF service saw him flying on two operational tours with bomber command and costal command. Commencing in the out dated Whitley bomber, then flying Halifax and finally Liberators. He took part in at least 80 anti-submarine operations plus another 11 ship escorts and sweeps.
His log book is well written, being over half full with entries. His boxed medals are included which are the 1939-45, Air Crew Europe stars with Atlantic bar, Defence & War medals all with silk ribbons, wax packets, in a very fine condition. His medal slip and medal entitlement slip, his 'dog tags', service & release book, a portrait photo with his original tunic medal ribbon bar on the top, his 'superb' photo album, a ring binder with copies of his operations taken from the squadron ORB, information on the sinking of U-Boat U528. His photo album has 22 'original' wartime photos of his RAF service. These include photos of U-Boats under attack by them, and U-Boat U528 under attack and sinking, crew photos, photo's with their aircraft, crew signatures (on the backs of photos) newspaper clippings, individual crew member photos, aircraft postcards etc.....
Above: U-boat Commander Georg von Rabenau, he survived and passed away in 1991 .
Saidly 11 died but there were 45 survivors
Below: U-Boat U528​
A superb and important grouping, with Bomber Command and Coastal Command interest, and one of only a handful that have a confirmed U-Boat 'kill' status.
WW2 Genuine Sleeve 1st and 6th Airborne Formation Patch
Genuine Sleeve Single 1st and 6th Airborne Formation Patch A very good uniform removed Single Pegasus Formation Patch for the 1st & 6th Airborne Divisions The badge shows the Greek mythological figure of Bellerophon upon the winged horse Pegasus. This the scarcer Patch for wear on the right sleeve, those for the left sleeve, for some strange reason, seeming to appear more often as singles. Very good condition with some adhesive marks from display
Veteran Bring-Back, Cardiff Royal Signals,
Selection of WW2 Money, Notes, Stamps and Coins etc.
Vet bring back As found amongst some items brought home by an ex member of the Royal Signals after WW2. Here we have a selection of various WW2 bank notes from around Europe and some coins, various. also included a period German officers visor with broken end loop the veteran also picked up. recently come to the market, dealer purchased direct off the granddaughter.
Marble Style Bust of Winston Churchill
This super bust of Winston Churchill is made from a reconstituted white marble, it has a very grainy feel and this style of material was very popular in the 1930’s through the 40’s which ties in I think with the age he is being portrayed, it stands 6.5 inches high and comes in very good condition.
Scarce Hitler hate club lapel / buttonhole badge
A good original Wartime period circular bronzed badge, portraying a "Lion Rampant" suppressing the dreaded serpent bearing the head of 'Adolph Hitler' with battleship in the background and title scroll "Hitler Hate Club" The reverse stamped in relief "protected design", Size 26mm x 30mm
A scarce home front Hitler Hate Club badge with great detail, this is the "male" type, the "female" one's having a pin fixing. In excellent uncleaned condition
WW2 Home Front “W” Warden Tommy Helmet 1939
A very good completely untouched Wardens Tommy Helmet, Never been in a collection and only recently purchased direct from the daughter of the owner in August 24, I unfortunately only got his last name “Taylor”, been in the shed/garage since the war ended, original paint and stamped 1939. Complete with original lining and web chinstrap. The interior of the shell is very good considering the conditions its been kepted in over the years, complete with dusty and dirt as found.
WW2 MK1 Bren Machine Gun 1942 by Daimler / Enfield.
This example is in excellent collectors condition. Manufactured in 1942 by
Daimler /Enfield. it has an excellent blue finish and the woodwork is in very good condition. It has the correct features including humped back stock, dial sight and natural finish steel barrel.
The Bren gun was the primary infantry light machine gun used by Britain and Commonwealth forces in the Second World War. Introduced in the late 1930s, the Bren (Brno / Enfield) was a modified design taken form the Czech ZB vz. 26. It was highly successful and used up until the 1990s.
WW2 original correct length Bren sling, dated 1944, M.E.Co
WW2 original correct length Bren sling, dated 1944, which was the first production year for the dedicated sling, Maker Marked `M.E.Co` lovely sling becoming hard to find, “this is not a NO4 sling with clips”.
WW2 gilt brass RAF Pathfinder’s eagle and five Pathfinder’s brass buttons.
WW2 era gilt brass RAF Pathfinder’s eagle together with five scarce Pathfinder’s brass buttons. The badge is in very good condition but missing its prongs from the back, all five buttons are in excellent condition and made by Pitt & Co London.
WW2 1942 No.36M Mk I Hand Grenade (All matching components)
A particularly fine condition British, WWII, No.36M MkI Hand Grenade. Features approx. 90%+ of the original brown lacquer . Manufacturer marking ' K* ' to body, base plug, and lever. This mark was that of A Kendrick & Sons of West Bromwich. Dated base plug 1942 . All parts present and fully strippable. Uncommon to find an all matching components. Excellent example.
WWII No4 MKI* Aircraft Flare Pistol Dated 1944
WWII No4 MKI* Flare Pistol, This example is dated 1944, Primarily designed for use on RAF aircraft during WWII, 1 1/2 inch (37mm). It has distinctive locking lugs on the end of the barrel so it could be locked into a firing/locating bracket before being fired from the aircraft. During WWII the British devised a method of different coloured flares for different days of the week, so ground anti aircraft crews could​ distinguish them from enemy aircraft. Deactivated and in very good condition with moving parts but no main spring, one of the grips has the letter M stamped on it, the breech latch is stamped 44 and so is the top of the frame, also has Birmingham Proof House marks.
WW2 Humorous Death Card for Adolf Hitler
Issued during WW2 probably before Hitlers actual death a series of similar themed cards appeared, this one ironically titled ‘In Happy Memory’ follows with a short verse.
In Happy Memory
of
Adolf Hitler
who passed away through want
of breath and constant worry
May the Devil preserve him and let his
bones rot in everlasting torment.
It comes in good order for its age with some edge issues and measures 4.5 x 3.5
WW2 RAF Various Cloth Wing Insignia Badges
WWII British RAF Bomber (B) Wing Insignia - WWII British RAF Air Gunner (AG) Wing Insignia
WWII British RAF Engineer (E) Wing Insignia - WWII British RAF Navigators (N) Wing Insignia
WW2 Home Front Tommy Helmet 1940
A very good example of the home front pattern Helmet with three small holes either side to the shell. Completely untouched, original paint and stamped 1940. Complete with original lining and web chinstrap. The interior of the shell is very good but remains dusty as found.
WW2 Various RAF Officer's Mess room items
Various original RAF Mess room items.
Good quality Teaspoon,Sugar Tongs with RAF crest Kings Crown R.A.F crest to handles. 2 RAF Kings Crown small oval plates made by Mintons and a Large RAF Mug also with the Kings crown and makers mark on the bottom Newhall Hanley staffs pottery.
2 silver plated napkin rings issued by the Air Ministry, The rings are 46 mm diameter, depth 30 mm, each stamped with the King's crown and "AM"
Rare WW2 RAF Distress Flare Tin with Inert Cartridges 1944
RAF Tin for 3 Red Signal Flare Distress Cartridges.
Small red tin as issued with the multi-place dinghy in RAF bombers (Wellington, Lancaster, Stirling, Halifax etc.) still containing its original 3 red signal flare cartridges. While the tins occasionally turn up to find with orginal flares is very rare, complete with three original but inert Flare Cartridges filled with red plasticine to give the appearance of being live.
All cartridges are marked “Signal Red MK.X11T” in keeping with the tin and all are dated 4/44. All in excellent undamaged condition, very difficult to find.
Original Autograph H M Stephen Battle of Britain Pilot.
A framed and glazed autographed signature by Harbourne Mackay Stephen CBE, DSO, DFC & bar, AE.
H M Stephen was a British flying ace of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) during the Second World War. He was credited with the sole destruction of at least nine aircraft of the Axis powers.
Born in Elgin, Scotland, Stephen joined the RAFVR in 1937. Called up for service in the Royal Air Force (RAF) on the outbreak of the Second World War, he was posted first to No. 605 Squadron and then, following being commissioned a pilot officer, No. 74 Squadron. He flew extensively during the evacuation from Dunkirk and then the Battle of Britain, during which he destroyed at least four German aircraft. He was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during the Battle of Britain and at the end of 1940 was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
From early- to mid-1941 he performed instructing duties and was then posted to No. 234 Squadron and participated in several offensive operations, attacking radar sites in France. He achieved his last aerial victory in October. Following the entry of the Empire of Japan into the war, he was sent to the Far East where he commanded No. 166 Wing and later served in a series of staff postings. After the war he chose to not pursue a career in the RAF and instead returned to his pre-war occupation as a newspaperman. Managing a number of newspaper titles for the next several years, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1985 for his services to the profession.
The original signature has been very nicely framed and comes with a copy photograph and RAF wings.
Original Signature – Douglas Webb RAF DFM Dam Buster
An original signature with a later photograph for Dam Buster RAF Douglas Webb DFM, below is a brief biography for his war service but far more is available online.
During World War II he served with the Royal Air Force as an air gunner with No. 49 Squadron and No. 617 Squadron. Douglas was front gunner with the crew of the Avro Lancaster AJ'O' for Orange, piloted by William Townsend, which took part in the Dam Busters Raid.
Webb was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for his part in the operation. Five of the crew were also given medals, making them the second most decorated Dams Raid crew after Guy Gibson's. Douglas also flew on 617 Squadron's last wartime operation, an attack on Hitler's mountain lair. He was one of only two men to fly on the squadron's first and last wartime operations.
The frame measures just over 7.5 inches square.