Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 7


Sold by Order of the recipient’s Family for the benefit of the Bomber Command Memorial and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund


The exceptional and rare Second War D.S.O., D.F.C., D.F.M. group of seven awarded to Group Captain W. D. G. ‘Four-Run’ Watkins, Royal Air Force, who after serving as a Gunner in the Royal Artillery (Territorial Army) from 1929, joined the R.A.F. in 1936 as an Armourer and at the outbreak of the Second World War was serving as an Air Observer with 75 (New Zealand) Squadron. Serving with 149 Squadron in 1940, he was awarded the D.F.M. and was commissioned in September of that year.


Mentioned in Despatches the following year, for his exceptional bomb aiming and navigation skill during his second tour Watkins was awarded the D.F.C. in 1942. A third tour as Air Bomber with 214 Squadron followed in 1943, after which he was appointed Acting Wing Commander and in 1944 he commenced a fourth tour as Commanding Officer of 15 Squadron; possibly the first such appointment for an Observer. At times serving as Master Bomber, he was shot down over Germany in November 1944. Bailing out with his clothes and parachute on fire, he was taken prisoner, being held at Stalag Luft 1 as the highest ranking British Officer, until released in May 1945.


By early 1947 Watkins had logged an incredible 600 plus operational and over 400 passenger hours, and his four War- time tours would equate to approximately 120 bombing operations. Post War, he continued to serve, with Testing and Armaments, ultimately attaining the rank of Group Captain


Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially dated 1944, and the base of the lower arm additionally privately engraved ‘W. D. G. W. Sept. 1944’, with integral top riband bar; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI. R., reverse officially dated 1942, and the edges of the lower arms additionally privately engraved ‘44828 S/Ldr. W. D. G. Watkins. R.A.F.; Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (534190. Sgt. W. D. G. Watkins. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted court- style as worn, nearly extremely fine and a rare combination of awards (7)


£12,000-£15,000


One of only 18 D.S.O., D.F.C., and D.F.M. combination awarded to the Royal Air Force for the Second World War. www.dnw.co.uk all lots are illustrated on our website and are subject to buyers’ premium at 24% (+VAT where applicable)


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