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Auction: 18001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 34

[Officer's Mess R.A.F. Leconfield]

Sunday [29 September 1940]

Squiffs darling Sweetheart,

Thanks indeed for your lovely letter. I too, love you more than ever. We have got quite a lot to be thankful for and such a lot to look forward to.

It's very nice living in the Officer's Mess - I have a lovely room - huge wardrobe, two sets of chest of drawers and everything very nice indeed - a batman to do everything - clean shoes and buttons - get a bath ready, etc. It's too easy Squiffs. I need my dressing gown pretty badly now - It will be nice.

It doesn't seem strange at all - naturally because I've been with quite a few of the Officers for some time and I feel perfectly at home. It is funny to have airmen saluting and calling Sir 'this' and Sir 'that'. You'll have to do that Squiffs - wait till we get Miss Susan out for a walk in her pram - I'll bet she'll be a little terror.

This time next week it ought to be all over - I'll bet you'll be pleased darling - a big weight off my mind and a big weight from your shoulders. Habibe so very much - I love my wife so very much indeed.

The C.O. has congratulated me on my uniform - he says it really looks good and fits well - I'm very pleased myself with it.

You still haven't told me which photograph you gave to the press and I would like to have seen what was said - I haven't seen anything yet - May I Mrs. Fusspot?

… If we do happen to stay here for long - I think you and Susan might come up for a short stay when possible - I would manage to get home most nights while you were here and you could stay in Beverley - a place the size of Woodbridge which is only two and a half miles from here.

Give my love to Mrs. Ruggles and all at home and be careful darling - all my dearest love to you sweetheart.

Your loving husband

Xxx Andy xxxxxxxx'

The last letter sent by 'Andy' Laws, D.F.M., to his wife. He was killed in a collision with another Spitfire the next day.

The outstanding - and deeply poignant - Battle of Britain Spitfire ace's D.F.M. group of four awarded to Flight Sergeant A. F. 'Andy' Laws, Royal Air Force, whose valiant record in No. 64 Squadron in June-August 1940 resulted in the destruction of five enemy aircraft

Commissioned on 28 September 1940, he was killed in a collision with another Spitfire on the 30th, his C.O. writing to his father:

'As I understand that your son's wife is expecting a baby very shortly, I thought it would be unwise to inform her by telegram of the tragedy and I hope that you will have appreciated this point from the wording of my telegram … Your son has a magnificent record in the Squadron since its formation and he has been one of its mainstays during all the operations in which it has been engaged. His loss is almost irreparable … apart from his great value as a pilot and a leader, we are all mourning the loss of a personal friend … '

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (514143 F./Sgt. A. F. Laws, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, extremely fine (4)

D.F.M. London Gazette 1 October 1940. The original recommendation states:

'This Airman has taken part in numerous operational flights since May 1940. He has destroyed five enemy aircraft and damaged another two. His initiative, courage and tenacity have been outstanding.'

Adrian Francis 'Andy' Laws was born at East Dereham, Norfolk on 10 August 1912 and joined the R.A.F. as an Aircrafthand in March 1931. Posted to the Middle East at the end of the following year, he later applied for pilot training and attended No. 4 F.T.S. Abu Sueir in July 1935. His course completed, Laws joined No. 64 Squadron at Ismailia as a Sergeant Pilot in April 1936.

First victory

The Squadron returned to the U.K. in September 1936 and Laws was still serving with it at Church Fenton on the outbreak of war.

On 12 June 1940 he shared in the destruction of a He. 111 over the Thames Estuary. He hounded the damaged bomber to wave-top height with two passes. While two other Spitfires arrived to take shots at what was now a wallowing enemy, Laws emptied his guns and watched the bomber settle on the water. He circled the plane and saw the crew inflating their dinghy.

Spitfire ace - Battle of Britain D.F.M.

Laws was promoted to Flight Sergeant on 1 July 1940, about the same time that Squadron Leader Aeneas MacDonnell took command of No. 64. Chief of the Glengarry clan, McDonnell would later say of his pilots ' … it's like holding a team of wild horses when there are Germans near': it's a description that undoubtedly befits Laws.

He claimed a Me. 109 destroyed over St. Margaret's Bay in the morning of the 29th and damaged another that was attacking his Blue 1 in a combat north of Folkestone on 11 August. Two days later - on 'Eagle Day' - he damaged a Do. 17 south of Portsmouth. The German pilot, aware that his rear gunner had been wounded in Laws's first attack, flew his aircraft in a series of diving turns and eventually reached the cover of some cloud, but not before Laws had gained further hits on the Dornier's fuselage.

On 15 August, Laws claimed another 109 destroyed, 64 Squadron having been vectored onto 60 enemy aircraft over Dover. Pursuing his opponent over the Channel, he carried out a beam attack as the 109 slowed slightly at the top of a turn: a brace of three-second bursts into the tail of the 109 set it ablaze:

'I was Green 1 whilst on patrol with the Squadron - two formations of enemy aircraft encountered, one above and ahead and the other to starboard - Squadron Leader closed into attack and usual dog-fight developed. Caught one Me. 109 in beam attack whilst enemy aircraft was at top of climbing turn. Followed him in dive and fired two more bursts from astern - saw aircraft burst into flames and pieces break away. Attacked by several others - chased one in dive to east and fired remaining ammunition - no results observed' (his combat report, refers).

On the 18th - better known as the battle's 'Hardest Day' - Laws destroyed a Me. 110 and shared in the destruction of a He. 111 in the Kenley area; he took out the former as it was attacking a Hurricane:

'When at 20,000 ft. over base saw bomb explosions on base. Enemy formations sighted and engaged - at 12,000 ft. as Green 2, followed Green 1 in attack on Heinkels. Green 1 expended ammunition on 1 He III - I followed on same bomber and after two bursts enemy burst into flames and crashed near church south of Biggin Hill - climbed again to attack mixed formation of bombers and Me 110s - chased Me 110 on tail of Hurricane and after several bursts enemy's port engine was on fire and he dived in vertical dive to ground. Finished off ammunition on Heinkel III - possibly damaged. Returned base and landed' (his combat report, refers).

Journey's end

It was to prove Law's last victory for, having been awarded the D.F.M. and been commissioned on 28 September, he was killed in a flying accident on the 30th.

The fatal accident was witnessed by an American pilot 'Art' Donahue. His diary - later published as Tally-Ho! - A Yankee in a Spitfire - noted:

'I rejoined my squadron several days before my leave expired … I learned that the heroism of some of the boys hadn't gone unrecognised. Three D.F.C.s and one D.F.M. had gone to the Squadron … Andy [Laws], who had four confirmed, received the D.F.M. because he was a Flight Sergeant and not a commissioned officer at the time ... He had worked up from the ranks to become an exceptional fighter pilot. He had just been awarded a commission as Pilot Officer.'

Donahue continues:

'Next morning Andy [Laws] had to give a group of new pilots some practise flying before we went to the target range; so as I was badly in need of some practise too I went for a little cross-country jaunt in my machine, familiarising myself with our present sector of operations. While I was up I could hear distant voices over the R./T. which I knew were those of Andy and the pilots he was flying with. When I heard them plainly I could tell it was usually Andy giving one of the others some order or coaching them on their flying. I didn't pay much attention to what was being said, but I noticed that when I was returning to the aerodrome Control seemed to be calling "Yellow One" and having difficulty in getting a reply … The leader of Yellow section was Andy, and he wasn't having trouble with his R./T. Percy ran out to meet me as I taxied in, and with agonised face told me, "Andy and Nels have collided and Andy's gone in, and it looks like there isn't much hope!" There wasn't. After half an hour's sad waiting around the telephone in our pilots' hut we heard the story. His tail had been sheared off and his machine had gone all the way down, tumbling over and over, and for some reason he hadn't bailed out. Nels had managed to land safely at another aerodrome, as his machine wasn't badly damaged.'

Laws - who was 28 - is buried in Wells-next-the-Sea Cemetery, Norfolk. He had married Mary in September 1939 and she was expecting a child at the time of his death.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation and artefacts, comprising:

(i)
A small pocket Bible, inscribed in ink to inner cover 'Adrian Laws, August 8th 1928' and further inscribed 'Sgt. Laws, No. 514143. R.A.F,' with "Lord teach us to pray," to bottom of opening page.

(ii)
An excellent archive of pre-war photographs (28), many hand annotated to reverse and relating to the passing out parade of the '32nd Course', 2 April 1936, before Air Chief Marshal Sir Brooke-Popham and Group Captain Insall, V.C.; a further selection of photographs and postcards (210), many annotated by Laws, showing deployment to the Middle East, in the region of Amman, Port Said and Jerusalem, with snapshots of time spent with fellow servicemen, pranged aircraft, etc.

(iii)
A large formal portrait photograph of Laws in civilian attire, on card mount with his embroidered R.A.F. Wings; a large formal group photograph of the Pilot Officers, N.C.O.s and men of No. 64 Squadron, by Bassano Ltd., 38 Dover St., W. London.

(iv)
Official letter from the Air Ministry, offering congratulations on the award of the D.F.M. to 'Flight Sergeant A. F. Laws, D.F.M., No. 64 Squadron, R.A.F. Leconfield', dated 5 September 1940, contained in original envelope, additionally annotated in pencil by Laws to reverse, 'Look after this Squiffs - It's from the Chief of the R.A.F.'; a Post Office telegram from Laws to his Wife, stamped Aldeburgh, Suffolk, 6 September 1940: 'Just been awarded D.F.M., love, Andy'; another Post Office telegram to Flight Sergeant Laws: 'My Heartiest congratulations on Award of D.F.M., MacDonnell', in its G.P.O. greetings telegram envelope of transmission; and a letter from the R.A.F. Record Office to Mrs. Laws, dated 15 October 1940, enclosing the citation for the award of her late husband's D.F.M.

(v)
A letter home from Laws to his wife, handwritten on lined blue paper from the Officer's Mess, R.A.F. Leconfield, Yorkshire:

'Friday

Squiffs Sweetheart,

You may now send to above address Mrs. Fusspot - one more request - if you can manage it. I won't receive any pay until the end of the first month and shall need some Squiffs. I don't want to go too much on credit, so could you manage another £10 by return. It sounds a lot but it will be better than starting in debt.

Have just discovered that you'll get an extra 1/6 a day for Susan, so your allowance apart from what I give you from my pay will be 31/6 a week, that's useful isn't it Squiffs?

Hope this request won't worry you too much just at this moment Squiffs but it would help a lot. So glad the carnations arrived on time - actually it seems much more than a year to me - doesn't it you darling?

Thought I did thank Mrs B. for her letter - please apologise for me - am nearly rushed off my feet at the moment.

All my fondest love for all time sweetheart.

Your loving husband

Habibe xxx Andy xxxxxx'

(vi)
A copy of the recipient's last letter to his wife, written by Laws in the Officer's Mess, R.A.F. Leconfield, as quoted above.

(vii)
A Post Office telegram from Wells, Norfolk, dated 30 September 1940 to the recipient's parents: 'Regret to inform you your son Pilot Officer Adrian Francis Laws killed flying accident today, stop, letter follows, stop, Wife not informed in view of present condition.'

(viii)
A typed letter to the recipient's father from the C.O. of No. 64 Squadron, hand annotated 'Copy' in pencil to top left-hand corner:

'No. 64 Squadron,
R.A.F. Leconfield,
Beverley,
East Yorks.

30 September 1940

Dear Mr. Laws,

With reference to my telegram of today's date, it is my painful duty to confirm the news of the death of your son, Pilot Officer Adrian Francis Laws, D.F.M., in a flying accident this morning.

The accident took place about five miles from here, near Carswick, in the course of an attack practice and a full investigation is being made into all the circumstances.

As I understand that your son's wife is expecting a baby very shortly, I thought it would be unwise to inform her by telegram of the tragedy and I hope that you will have appreciated this point from the wording of my telegram.

You will, of course, use your own discretion as to whether she should be informed before the event takes place.

Your son has a magnificent record in the Squadron since its formation and he has been one of its mainstays during all the operations in which it has been engaged. His loss is almost irreparable.

It is particularly tragic that his death should have occurred as the result of an accident after he had survived so many actions with the enemy, but I hope that it may be a slight consolation to feel that his achievements received some recognition while he was still with us.

Apart from his great value as a pilot and a leader, we are all mourning the loss of a personal friend.

May I, on my own behalf, and on that of every other officer, N.C.O. and man in the Squadron offer you and Mrs. Laws our deepest sympathy in your tragic bereavement?

His body has been brought to Leconfield and I should be grateful if you would telegraph me your wishes with regard to the funeral … '

(ix)
A letter to Susan, annotated 'Christmas 1940,' from Marjorie: 'Dear Susan, I hope you will like the enclosed frock which the girls and I have made for you. Every stitch was done in admiration and gratitude for your father and affection for your mother.'

(x)
Correspondence between Mrs. Laws and R.A.F. Leconfield regarding the return of personal effects and monies owed; a contemporary black and white photograph of his grave by Claude Fisher, photographer, Fakenham, Norfolk, annotated in pencil '1941'; further modern colour images.

(xi)
Buckingham Palace memorial scroll to 'Pilot Officer A. F. Laws, D.F.M., Royal Air Force', contained within O.H.M.S. envelope, addressed to Mrs. A. M. F. Gibson, Lagerlofsgatan 8 IV, Stockholm, Sweden, with British Embassy Stockholm, Consular Section frank, dated 22 March 1950; and his Buckingham Palace condolence slip.

(xii)
A comprehensive collection of newspaper cuttings; announcing the award of the D.F.M.; listing promotion to Flight-Sergeant and part citation for D.F.M.; announcing his death in a flying accident; announcements by his wife Mary, offering her sincerest appreciation of all those who have shown such kindness following her tragic loss; a poem 'To My Wife' from a Pilot Officer; an article from the Daily Express, dated 16 August 1940, titled 'A morning in the life of a Flight-Sergeant in the R.A.F., Fighter Command', the whole contained in an O.H.M.S. Envelope addressed to Mrs. Laws.

(xiii)
Three large files of research containing details of all operations flown by Laws in No. 64 Squadron during the war; one compiled in 1997 with combat reports, another containing further records from Air 27/589, the third including online research and a photocopy of his Marriage Certificate, dated 26 September 1939.

(xiv)
A hardback copy of Britain's Wonderful Air Force, edited by Air Commodore P. F. M. Fellowes, D.S.O., published by Odhams Press Ltd, W.C.2.

(xv)
His R.A.F. embroidered 'Wings' and officer's cap, part of badge lacking.

(xvi)
A wartime period No. 64 Squadron crest on wooden wall-plaque.



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Sold for
£19,000