COMPREHENSIVE AIRMAN’S COLLECTION TO GO UNDER THE HAMMER
An intriguing collection of military memorabilia relating to an RAF pilot who flew throughout the Second World War – including dropping paratroopers in France on D-Day – will go under the hammer in Keys Auctioneers & Valuers first Collectors’ Sale of the year on Wednesday 22nd January.
The collection, detailing the distinguished career of Flight Lieutenant W.E.J.Bishop, includes complete logbooks detailing every flight from his initial training right through to his post-war career, as well as personal photo albums, RAF flight maps and his original RAF Type C leather flying helmet, with goggles and oxygen mask.
Originally from Bristol, Fl Lt Bishop trained with the Canadian Airforce in Arizona before returning to the UK and flying with the RAF. He flew a huge variety of aircraft including Spitfires, Lancaster and Wellington bombers, and a range of transport planes. Following his participation in D-Day, he was posted to Burma, and spent the rest of the war in the Far East.
“This is an unusually complete and detailed collection which tells the story of one airman from the time he joined up until the time he left the service,” said Oscar Crocker of Keys. “Bishop was a distinguished pilot, and the comprehensive documentation tells his complete war story, with items such as his photo albums putting a very personal touch to the collection.”
The collection has a pre-sale estimate of £400-£500.
In the same sale is the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) medal presented to Australian Gallipoli veteran Major Clarence Roy Turner, following his work after the First World War in developing the railway in the Gold Coast in Australia. The lot includes considerable correspondence between Major Turner and the Palace and Chancery of the Order, as well as personal papers and assorted Australian railway-related ephemera. The pre-sale estimate is £300-£400.
The Keys Collectors’ Sale, which includes militaria, medals, toys, coins and postcards, takes place on Wednesday 22nd January at 10.30am at Key’s Aylsham, Norfolk salerooms, and online at www.the-saleroom.com. More details are available at www.keysauctions.co.uk.