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Auction: 9024 - The Property of a Gentleman Orders, Decorations and Campaign Medals
Lot: 683

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R., reverse contemporarily engraved, ´Capt. J. Collier 80th Sqdn. R.A.F., 8th Nov 1918´, extremely fine Estimate £ 1,000-1,200 D.F.C. London Gazette 8.2.1919 Lt.(A./Capt.) John Collier (France). ´´An officer of conspicuous determination and bravery. Under most unfavourable weather conditions he carried out, on 8th November, a very important reconnaissance. Flying at very low altitude, he obtained a complete report which was correct in all details and of the greatest assistance to our advance. Capt. Collier is a fine leader, and has an enemy machine to his credit.´´ Captain John Collier, D.F.C, born Sheffield, Yorkshire; commissioned Lieutenant Royal Air Force 1.4.1918; service during the Great War included with 73 Squadron, 46 Squadron and 80 Squadron (wounded 6.4.1918); it was with the latter that he was flying Sopwith Camels and Sopwith Snipes in the French Theatre of War at the time of his recommendation for the D.F.C.; 80 Squadron were specialised in ground attack work, moving from sector to sector wherever their services were most needed - as a consequence of this the squadron did not stay at one airfield for longer than 12 days at a time during it´´s Great War operational service; Temporary Captain 13.9.1918; discharged April 1919. Provenance: J.B. Hayward March 1973

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£1,300