MINIATURE MEDALS 730
The mounted group of eight miniature dress medals worn by Wing Commander J. C. Freeborn, D.F.C. and Bar, the famous Battle of Britain fighter ace DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS,
G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar; 1939-45 STAR, clasp, Battle of Britain; AIR CREW EUROPE STAR, clasp, Atlantic; ITALY STAR; DEFENCE ANDWAR MEDALS 1939-45; POLAND, VIRTUTE MILITARI, Silver Cross; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AIR MEDAL, with cluster, mounted court-style as worn, good very fine
To be sold with: THE RECIPIENT’S ORIGINAL AIRMINISTRY CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY AND LICENCE TO FLY PRIVATE FLYINGMACHINES, dated 28 February 1938, with portrait photograph, and his No. 74 (Tiger) Squadron tie, the whole contained in an old leather case with gilt initials ‘J. C. F.’ and ‘Bro. J. C. Freeborn, Defence Lodge 1221’ to front, in good overall condition (Lot)
£1200-1500
Freeborn’s remarkable wartime career needs little introduction here, not least since the Lot is accompanied by a signed copy of his biography, A Tiger’s Tale, by Bob Cossey, and a bound copy of his combat reports, with signed presentation inscription; so, too, by a selection of photographs, including one of him wearing the above described set of miniatures.
But by way of summary, he first went into action over Dunkirk in May 1940 as a Flying Officer in Spitfires No. 74 (Tiger) Squadron, claiming at least two “kills” in the same month, a score to which he rapidly added during the Battle of Britain and, when finally rested in early 1941, he had been with the squadron longer than any other Battle of Britain pilot and flown more operational hours. He had also been forced to carry out at least one crash-landing and taken to his parachute on one occasion during the Battle. Awarded the D.F. C. in August 1940 and a Bar in February 1941, his score then stood at 11 and two shared destroyed, in addition to numerous ‘probables’ and damaged. He later commanded No. 602 and No. 118 Squadrons, prior to being appointed Wing Commander Flying of 286 Wing in Italy.
731
The mounted group of six miniature dress medals attributed to Sergeant F. J. Sears, Royal Marine Artillery DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, V.R., with Second Award Bar, dated ‘November 21st-24th 1899’; QUEEN’S SUDAN 1896-98; ROYALNAVY L.S. & G.C., V.R.; MERITORIOUS SERVICEMEDAL, V.R. - obverse as for the ‘E. & W. Africa Medal’, with straight bar suspension; EGYPT, ORDER OF THE NILE, silver, silver-gilt and enamel; KHEDIVE’S SUDAN 1896-1908, 5 clasps, Sudan 1897, Khartoum, Sudan 1899, Gedid, Bahr-el-Ghazal 1900-02, cleaned, modern mounting for wear, very fine (6) £600-700
D.C.M. London Gazette 13 March 1900. ‘Sergeant F. J. Sears, Royal Marine Artillery.’
Bar to the D.C.M. London Gazette 1 May 1900. ‘Sergeant F. J. Sears, Royal Marine Artillery’ ‘... in recognition of their services during the operations in the Soudan, resulting in the defeat and death of the Khalifa in November, 1899.’ Order of the Nile, 5th Class London Gazette 6 November 1917. ‘Frederick James Sears, Esq.’
Frederick Sears was born in Eastney, Portsmouth, Hampshire on 29 April 1869, the son of James Sears and Jane Rowe. He was educated at the Greenwich Hospital School and enlisted into the Royal Marines on 21 May 1885. Sears was successively advanced to Gunner, 1886; Bombardier, 1893; Corporal, 1895; Sergeant, 1897, and Colour Sergeant, 1902.
Serving with the R.M.A. in the Sudan, he was seconded to the Egyptian Army in July 1897. His service papers record that he was ‘brought to the notice of H.H. The Khedive in despatches of 30 May 1898 for good service in gunboats leading up to the battle of Atbara’, and that he ‘received the thanks of the Admiralty.’ For his services in this regard he was awarded the D.C.M. He was awarded the Bar to the D.C.M. for his services in November 1899 during the final pursuit and defeat of the Khalifa. His papers further record that his name was ‘brought to the notice of H.H. The Khedive for good service during the re-occupation of Bahr-el-Ghazal Province, Egypt Army Order 3177 of 10 Nov. 01.’
Sears was discharged from military service on 20 May 1906 and was awarded the Royal Marine Meritorious Service Medal with an annuity of £10 on 7 June 1906. Remaining in Egypt he was later an Assistant Agent in the Stores Department in Alexandria and in 1917 was awarded the Order of the Nile for his civilian service.
Sold with a folder containing comprehensive copied research, including service papers and gazette extracts.
A group consisting of four miniature dress medals attributed to Sergeant Sears - the Khedive’s Sudan with four clasps, was sold in D.N. W. 27 June 2002, lot 844.
www.dnw.co.uk
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