The inaugural militaria auction from Dreweatts and Baldwin's has been highlighted by the sale of a rare set of medals presented to a WWII pathfinder.
 Andrew was the best air gunnner of his squadron, taking part in 89 operational sorties |
With the two auction houses uniting under the banner of Noble Investments, this first sale was held on June 5 in London. The medals, initially valued at £10,000-15,000, sold for £14,000 ($21,486).
The Conspicuous Flying Medal and Distinguished Flying Medal group of five were awarded to Warrant Officer SJH Andrew, No 35 Squadron, No 8 (Pathfinder Force) Group of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
RAF pathfinders were employed to identify and safely operate drop zones and landing zones for aircraft and resupply operations, as well as marking areas for bombing. Andrew served in 89 such operational sorties and saw over 315 hours of flying in just two years between 1943 and 1945.
He was an air gunner "of outstanding ability", who remained unrivalled among the Halifax and Lancaster Bombers No 8 Group, with his skills described as "second to none."
Also included in the lot were Andrew's 1939-1945 Star, Air Crew Europe Star along with a copy "France and Germany" clasp and War Medal 1939-1945.
 The events leading to Secretan's death are relived in a letter sent home by his brother, who was also living in South Africa |
Also selling well was a rare 1879 South Africa Casualty Medal, which made £9,000 ($13,813). The medal was presented to Trooper Francis Louis Secretan, who was killed in action at the Battle of Isandhlwana during the Anglo-Zulu War.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a magnificent selection of militaria for sale, including signed items from some of history's greatest military heroes.
