Orders, Decorations & Medals British Groups

Lot 3742    Session 13 (2.30pm Thu 27th March)    Orders, Decorations & Medals British Groups

Estimate $5,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $4,000

GROUP OF SIX FOR BATTLE OF BRITAIN AND THEN POW: 1939-45 Star, - clasp - Battle of Britain; Atlantic Star, - clasp - Air Crew Europe; Africa Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; War Medal 1939-45; Battle of Britain 1939-45 Medal. All medals unnamed as issued. The first five medals swing mounted and the last unofficial medal loose, extremely fine.

Together with

1. Caterpillar Club badge gilt silver, unnamed.

2. RAF jacket with sewn on ribands to match above official medals with relevant rosettes and pilot's embroidered wings and Flt Lt shoulder rank with metal VR (Volunteer Reserve).

3. Forage cap with metal crown/eagle air force badge

4. POW ID tag, '1327/Stalag Luft III'.

5. RAF embroidered pilot's wings (unused).

6. Small soft cover book, 'The Battle of Britain August - October 1940' an Air Ministry Account of the Great Days from 8th August - 31st October 1940, first edition 1941.

Peter Frank Hall, born 01May1916 at Hinkley, Warwickshire, UK; Enl. in RAFVR; underwent training at Desford in 1939 and then to Brize Norton to train on twin-engine aircraft; first operational service was with 235 (Beaufighter) Sqn; first mission was over Holland on 25Jun1940; upon completion of his tour of about 300 hours he went to RAF Catfoss as a Flight Instructor (flying Blenheims, Beaufighters and Lysanders); Sep1941 posted to Central Flying School at Upavon before returning to Catfoss; with some 1,080 flying hours to his credit he applied for a second tour in early 1943; 1409 Met Flight was formed in Apr1943 with Peter Hall 2ic; 30Dec1941 Pilot Officer; MIA when Mosquito DZ316 that he was piloting was shot down by FW190 at 2015 hours on 09May1943 at Wieringermeer, Netherlands; the pilot of the Focke Wulf FW190 was a highly decorated Luftwaffe ace, Hauptmann Robert Olejnik and Hall's aircraft was Olejnik's 38th victory; Hall and his Observer, William Charles Woodruff, baled out and landed safely near Den Helder in Holland; Hall reported that while he descended by parachute FW190s circled around him continually but fortunately they were decent types and did not shoot at him; reported as POWs; 22May1943 to Stalag Luft Sagan and interred at Camp L3, POW number 1327; this was the camp from where the famous 'Wooden Horse' escape was made; Hall selected for tunnel escape but operation discovered resulting in the execution of 50 POWs; 27Jan1945 released; 25Jul1947 Flight Lieutenant; Disch.25Jul1952; Died Mar1995.

With research including a 25 page account of Peter Hall's wartime experiences including his time as a POW.