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Auction: 12044 - The Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust Appeal Charity Auction
Lot: 1

The Important and Outstanding C.B., C.B.E., Second War D.S.O., D.F.C. and Two Bars, Post-War A.F.C. Group of Ten to Air Vice-Marshal F. D. ´Hawk Eyes´ Hughes, Royal Air Force, Who Claimed His First Victories in Defiants During the Battle of Britain, and Added to His Score in Beaufighters in the Mediterranean and as a Squadron C.O. in Mosquitos Over North-West Europe; He Finished With A Personal Score of 18 Victories. As a Native of the Emerald Isle He Was Second Only to ´Paddy´ Finucane in Confirmed Victories, and was Right On The Tail of John ´Cat´s Eyes´ Cunningham As The Highest-Scoring Night Fighter Ace of the Second World Wara) The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Companion´s (C.B.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband, in Collingwood, London, case of issueb) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Commander´s (C.B.E.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband, in Garrard, London, case of issuec) Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse of suspension bar officially dated ´1945´, with integral top riband bard) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ´1941´, and additionally engraved ´R.A.F.V.R. 264 Sqdn. Desmond Hughes 4th April´, with Second Award Bar, reverse officially dated ´1943´, and Third Award Bar, reverse officially dated ´1943´e) Air Force Cross, E.II.R., reverse officially dated ´1954´f) 1939-1945 Star, with Battle of Britain Barg) Air Crew Europe Star, with France and Germany Barh) Africa Star, with North Africa 1942-43 Bari) Italy Starj) War Medal, nearly extremely fine, mounted court style as worn, with the following related items:- The recipient´s related miniature awards- The recipient´s Identity tags- Bestowal document for the C.B., named to Air Vice-Marshal Frederick Desmond Hughes, C.B.E., D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C., and dated 3.6.1972- Bestowal document for the C.B.E., named to Group Captain Frederick Desmond Hughes, D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C., and dated 1.1.1962- Bestowal document for the D.S.O., named to Wing Commander F.D. Hughes, D.F.C., and dated 23.3.1945- Commission appointing Frederick Desmond Hughes a Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, dated 7.10.1939- (3) R.A.F. Pilot´s Flying Log Books, covering the periods 25.10.1938-7.7.1944; 8.7.1944-30.12.1965; and 19.1.1966-26.5.1972 respectively- R.A.F. Instrument Pilot Rating Card- The recipient´s Royal Aero Club Gliding Certificate- The recipient´s unfinished Memoirs, together with his various combat reports- Letter to the recipient from the Rt. Hon. Roy Mason, Secretary of State for Defence, on the occasion of the recipient´s retirement, dated 4.6.1974- A selection of portrait and group photographs, many from his time at R.A.F. College Cranwell- Battle of Britain Memorial Dagger, by Wilkinson, London, the blade inscribed ´Air Vice-Marshal F.D. Hughes, C.B.E., D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C., M.A.´, complete with scabbard, in wooden presentation box (lot)

Sold for
£110,000