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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 317

The impressive and well-documented campaign group of four awarded to Major K. W. Driver D.F.C., South African Air Force, a 12-kill Hurricane Ace who notched up his victories in short order before being shot down himself in June 1941 by Ludwig Franzisket, in the same action he inflicted damage and forced none other than Hans-Joachim Marseille down - Driver spent his time 'behind the wire' at Stalag Luft III but after having been released, was tragically killed in an air accident in 1947

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Africa Service and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, these all officially named '102646 K W Driver', good very fine (4)

Medals issued to his widow in 1993.

[D.F.C.] London Gazette 29 April 1941:

'This Officer has led his flight on many offensive operations and fighter patrols. On one occasion, he became separated from his flight during an engagement and, on leaving the area, he observed four enemy fighters and immediately engaged them, shooting one down in flames.

Two of the enemy aircraft then attacked him and so severely damaged his aircraft the he was unable to maintain superior speed. By skilful manoeuvring, although he was attacked continuously for 15 minutes, he succeeded in evading them and flew his damaged aircraft back to an Advanced Landing Ground and landed safely. He has displayed great courage in his attacks against the enemy and has destroyed ten of their aircraft in aerial combat and at least five on the ground.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 24 September 1941.

Kenneth Weekes Driver - or Ken to his friends and comrades - was born on 3 April 3 1918 at Brooklyn, Pretoria and joined the Cadet Company, Special Service Battalion, South African Forces on 2 March 1936. He was made 2nd Lieutenant in the South African Air Force on 1 April 1938 and was posted to No. 6 (Fighter) Squadron on 26 September 1939.

Posted to No. 1 (Fighter) Squadron on 13 December 1940 and was quickly into his work from Port Sudan. Just three days later he was on a demonstrational flight in his Hurricane when three Savoia 79s came over. He went straight for them and shot one down in flames. He added another the next day for good measure, shooting him down over Suakin. With the start of 1941, he added to his score when attacking the Italian airfield at Gura. He was clearly a fine Pilot, for his score in the skies and on land continued to climb. The action for which he won his D.F.C. took place on 10 February, when attacking five Fiat CR42s over Asmara, the result was '...left aileron was jammed, and only two strands of the right aileron control remained. The starboard petrol tank was hit, the port guns were hit, the tailplane was in rags, and the fairing behind the cockpit was blown to pieces.'

Quite a scrape, especially when he had used up his 'last drops of petrol' whilst coming into land at Agordat. Scoring again on 13 February, a week later together with Lieutenant W. J. White, he destroyed a petrol dump estimated at some 2,500 gallons near Teramni. Up until 1 April, No. 1 Squadron records show they scored no less than 48 aircraft shot down, with another 57 damaged and 53 destroyed on the ground.

Moved onto Egypt, the unit were to defend Alexandria from Amriya airfield and Driver was sent to assist No. 274 Squadron, whom had been so badly cut up in the actions over Crete. On 31 May, they escorted a Maryland and damaged a Ju88, which was finished off by a comrade and sent into the sea, flaming.

His own combat career would come to a glorious and exciting end on 14 June, when leading a patrol of five Hurricanes who were to attack Gazala south airfield with a Maryland bomber in tow. One Hurricane failed to join them and the weather was so poor that Driver was alone with the bomber. As they neared the target it became clear they were on different radio frequencies and the pilot missed the drop zone. Driver went on and tried to attract his attention, and he passed back over at 5,000ft. Met with heavy flak and four Bf109s of Jg27, including Ludwig Franzisket - who himself would earn the Knight's Cross. The two found themselves in a one-on-one aerial combat, but only the German scored hits. Franzisket got too close and struck Driver's tail with a wing tip, damaging it. Franzisket remained ignorant of the collision, as did Driver, who was preparing to bail out, until after they met. Franzisket showed Driver around his damaged aircraft. Driver showed Franzisket a picture and lock of hair belonging to his wife who had come to visit him in Cairo. The German promised to have a message dropped via container over his airfield informing her that Driver lived. Interestingly, it has also been suggested that Driver managed to inflict damage on one of the other aircraft in the flight on that day. It was piloted by no other than Hans-Joachim Marseille.

Taken for breakfast by the enemy, Driver sat out the remainder of the Second World War in Germany, including at Stalag Luft III, scene of 'The Great Escape'. He made it back to England on 26 May 1945 and remained in the Air Force. Driver was tragically killed on 3 February 1947 in an air accident during a refresher course and is buried at Bath.

Sold together with the following archive of original material:

(i)
Royal Air Force Pilot's Flying Log Book (Form 414), covering the dates 4 January 1946-3 February 1947. It confirms itself as Certified Correct and replaced the Log Book which was not returned that covered his combats during the Second World War.

(ii)
Caterpillar Club Membership Certificate, together with forwarding letter to his wife, dated 16 March 1944. This letter confirms that no gold Badge would be issued due to the shortage of materials.

(iii)
An album of original letters, official documents, telegrams and news cuttings related to his career, capture, imprisonment and death.

(iv)
A selection of original photographs of his career.

(v)
A sketch of the recipient, whilst a Prisoner of War at Oflag IIIA.

(vi)
A quantity of relevant copied research, including his full Service Record.

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Sold for
£3,000

Starting price
£580