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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 671

The Pilot's Flying Log Books and archive of Flight Lieutenant C. W. 'Bill' Francis, Royal Air Force, who flew as a Sergeant with 'B' Flight, No. 74 Squadron during the Battle of Britain and is one of 'The Few'

Royal Air Force Pilot's Flying Log Book (Form 414), comprising three Log Books covering the dates 9 June 1939-30 June 1942, 11 July 1942-27 September 1943 and 1 October 1943-8 January 1946, totalling 1,677 hours, 50 minutes of flying, together with a duplicate Log Book covering dates 9 June 1939-11 September 1940, generally very fine (Lot)

Clarence William Francis - or Bill to his friends and comrades - was born on 7 March 1921 and joined the Royal Air Force Vounteer Reserve on 9 June 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1 September 1939, he completed his training at 15 FTS Lossiemouth on No. 6 Course, which ran from 29 December 1939-10 June 1940. He then went to 5 OTU Aston Down and after converting to Spitfires was posted on 24 June to No. 74 Squadron at Hornchurch. His last flight with the squadron was made on 28 July 1940.

During this period he would have rubbed shoulders with the legendary Group Captain A. G. “Sailor” Malan, D.S.O., D.F.C., Royal Air Force, the famous South African fighter ace who commanded No. 74 during the Battle. The Log Book records:

'1 July - Spitfire L1089 - Battle climb 25,000ft. Do215s & Me109s.

1 July - Spitfire K9951 - Sgt White shot down by Do215. Formation No. 3 attacks used.

17 July (3 sorties) - Formation practice; Formation patrol (convoy) off Dover 'Flap' Ju87s seen.; Formation attack.

20 July (2 sorties) - Spitfire 'T' - Formation patrol Margate, Dover, Manston etc; Formation attacks used to brake up Do.215s off St. Naz.'

He thence joined No. 4 (C) F.P.P. at Kemble on 7 August 1940, was commissioned Pilot Officer on 6 January 1942, advanced Flying Officer, 1 October 1942, Flight Lieutenant, 6 January 1944 and was released in 1946. He latterly became a well known character in Andover, Hampshire, being made a JP and managing the local car firms Pontings and Doves; sold together with his Civil Pilot's Log Book, final entry being 5 September 1947, besides RAFVR Passing Out Report, newspaper cuttings, progammes and other research.

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Sold for
£1,000

Starting price
£500