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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 181

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

A notable Second World War campaign group of three awarded to Flight Lieutenant A. G. H. Lindsell, Royal Air Force, a gallant pilot who flew with No. 1 Squadron during the Battle of France

His Hurricane having been badly shot-up in a major combat on 5 June 1940, he carried out a forced-landing at Deauville, where, upon being freed from his cockpit, he was found to have a broken back

The story of No. 1 Squadron in France in 1940 has since attracted wide acclaim and interest: from Paul Richey's wartime memoir Fighter Pilot to it influencing the TV series A Piece of Cake in the 1980s, it's a story that continues to attract attention to this day

Operating under the redoubtable leadership of Squadron Leader 'Bull' Halahan, Lindsell would also have flown alongside such squadron stalwarts as 'Prosser' Hanks and 'Billy' Drake - in fact a colourful and gallant cast of characters that would quickly emerge as an R.A.F. version of Who's Who

For his own part, Lindsell was tragically killed in a flying accident in 1942 - still wearing a specially adapted flying jacket to support his injured back

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, extremely fine (3)

Alan Gordon Howard Lindsell was born on 4 April 1920 at Kano, Nigeria, eldest son of Howard Lindsell, the British Resident. Educated at King's Leigh, Tankerton and The King's School, Canterbury, he was permitted by his parents to keep - and drive - a blue Bugatti, which was often to be seen parked outside his Housemaster's study. Departing King's Canterbury in 1937 - and with his parents having separated - he toured the south of France with his mother and brother, David, in the period leading up to hostilities.

Enlisting as soon as possible, Lindsell was commissioned Pilot Officer on 2 September 1939 and was posted to No. 1 Squadron in France in March 1940. Joining the Squadron at its grass airfield at Berry-au-Bac, north-west of Paris, he soon found himself in the thick of the action.

As a member of 'B' Flight at dawn on 5 June 1940, Lindsell and his comrades took off on an operational sortie, a sortie that found them mixing-in with 60 He. 111s and their Me. 110 escort. 'B' Flight, led by 'Fritz' Warcup, tore into the enemy bombers and Lindsell's Hurricane was severely damaged by return fire - he made a forced landing at Deauville, where his injuries were found to include a broken back. He was evacuated to Rouen and thence home.

Treated for his spinal injuries at the Wingfield Morris, Oxford, he was promoted Flying Officer in May 1941 and returned to active duty in No. 609 Squadron at Duxford in August of the same year - his C.O. was none other than Paul Richey, his old friend from France.

Subsequently posted to No. 181 Squadron as a Flight Commander on 19 September 1942, Lindsell converted to Typhoons. A little over a week later - at 6.40 p.m. on the 27th - he took off in Typhoon R 7676, wearing a specially manufactured flying jacket. Just ten minutes later, in the process of executing a steep turn, he lost control of the aircraft and crashed into the airfield from 500 feet.

Aged just 22, Lindsell was buried on 1 October at Wittlesford, Cambridgeshire; he is also commemorated upon the Portsmouth War Memorial.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation and a silver fork engraved with the recipient's initials 'A. G. H. L.', the former comprising a pair of poignant of letters of condolence to his mother, written by his brother and Marshal of the Royal Air Force 'Boom' Trenchard; three portrait photographs, one with ink label stating, 'To live in the hearts of those we love & leave behind, is not to die but to live eternally', and a letter to his mother:

'Why don't you come down to Torquay? We could have such a good party together. I am getting you a puppy for Xmas so please do not obtain one in the meantime. Your loving son, Alan.'

For the awards of his brother, please see Lot 390.


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Sold for
£1,000