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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 315

The important Caterpillar Club badge issued to Wing Commander T. F. 'Ginger' Neil, D.F.C. & Bar, A.F.C., A.E., a fighter Ace who flew no less than 141 combat missions in Hurricanes of No. 249 Squadron including during the Battle of Britain, and destroyed a total of 14 enemy aircraft during the Second World War

Caterpillar Club badge, gold with ruby eyes, engraved to reverse 'P/O. T. F. Neil. D.F.C. Pres. by Irving Co.', with original safety chain, extremely fine

Thomas Francis 'Ginger' Neil was born on 14 July 1920 at Bootle, Merseyside, and educated at Eccles Grammar School. After taking his School Certificate in 1937 he took work at the District Bank in Gorton whilst training to be a pilot with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve from 17 October 1938. Called up for full-time service at the outbreak of the Second World War, Neil was commissioned Pilot Officer and posted on 15 May 1940 to No. 249 Squadron based at Church Fenton and North Weald.

Baling out over the Garden of England - Caterpillar Club Member

Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 8 October 1940, Neil faced a serious mishap on 7 November 1940 when he collided with the Hurricane flown by Wing Commander Francis Victor Beamish, D.S.O., A.F.C., losing the rear section of his aircraft. The exact circumstances were uniquely described by Neil in a television interview conducted in 2016:

'The aircraft became uncontrollable and this was at 18,000 feet… I think it was, and I didn't really get out of the aircraft until about 2,000 feet, so I spent a long time in the aeroplane trying to make sense of an aircraft that didn't have a tail and I eventually got out.

I landed in the top of a tree at a place called Walberswick in Kent, and when I came round I was surrounded by four sets of feet, two belonging to ladies and two belonging to men, and they were discussing whether I was on their side or the other side.

The two ladies thought I looked English and that kept me going so to speak. The two men thought I looked German and they wanted to hang me and, anyhow, two Army officers rushed up and prevented them from doing that… and that's the story how I continued to serve in the Air Force for twenty odd years.'

(Interviewer)
'What happened to Beamish's aircraft? Did he land OK?'

(Neil)
'Yes, yes, he was out and totally fearless.'

(Interviewer)
'I hope he bought you a beer!'

(Neil)
'Pardon?'

(Interviewer)
'I hope he bought you a beer…'

(Neil)
'No! He said he was sorry… He was a wonderful man, and they all thought I'd been killed and never seen again because I disappeared through cloud… until I turned up the same night.'

Beamish made a forced landing near Leeds Castle and was awarded the D.F.C. the next day (London Gazette 8 November 1940, refers). Neil was awarded a Bar to his D.F.C. on 26 November 1940 and later fought during the Battle of Malta, shooting down a Macchi C.200 fighter on 12 June 1941. Appointed Officer Commanding No. 41 Squadron, Neil later became liaison officer to 100 Fighter Wing, U.S.A.F. and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. Taking retirement from the R.A.F. in 1964, Neil settled in Norfolk where he became a director in the shoe industry.

Tom Neil died on 11 July 2018, just a handful of days short of his 97th birthday. In paying tribute to Neil, David Brocklehurst, M.B.E., Chairman and Historian at the Battle of Britain Museum Trust said:

'We are greatly saddened by his death and our hearts go out to Tom's family - we have lost a true friend. He was the epitome of a Battle of Britain pilot. It was a great honour to have known him.'

For reference to the interview referred to above, please see:

https://youtu.be/PWcwqGokQck


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Sold for
£3,500

Starting price
£550