Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 215

(x) The 1943 D.F.C. group of four awarded to Pilot Officer D. W. Bateman, No. 77 Squadron, Royal Air Force

A veteran who notched up some 42 Ops with Coastal & Bomber Command, he was shot over Munich on 9-10 March 1943, and was taken Prisoner of War, being interned at the infamous Stalg Luft III at Sagan - the scene of the ‘Great Escape’

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1943' and further enrgaved 'F/Lt. D. W. Bateman', in its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine (4)

D.F.C. London Gazette 13 July 1943. The Recommendation states:

‘This Officer was making his last operational sortie as a wireless operator in Aircraft DT.734 in Munich on the night of 9-10 March 1943, from which he failed to return but is now reported to be a prisoner of war. He joined the Squadron as a Non-Commissioned Officer on 3 November 1941, and was appointed to commissioned rank on 18 December 1942, and both as an Officer and a Non-Commissioned Officer maintained a high standard of efficiency as Deputy Signals Leader. During attacks on many targets he was a constant inspiration to his comrades by his calmness and complete disregard for danger, and was held in affectionate esteem by all with whom he came in contact. Consistently good throughout the whole of his tour of duty with this Unit, I strongly recommend that the Officer’s fine record be recognised by an award of the D.F.C.’

Covering Remarks by the Station Commander:

‘Although not personally known to me, I consider that this Officer has a fine operational record. After flying for 200 operational hours with Coastal Command, he completed sorties over some of the most heavily defended targets in German, and also took part in raids against Italy and Occupied France. Knowing the accurate judgement of the Squadron Commander, I feel confident to endorse the recommendation for the award of the D.F.C.’

Covering Remarks by the Air Officer Commanding:

‘This Officer, now a prisoner of war, has a fine operational record, and I strongly recommend the award of the D.F.C.’

Dennis Walter Bateman was born on 5 March 1920 at Birmingham, was educated at Queen Mary's Grammar School, Walsall. A keen sportsman, he played rugby for the Walsall XV and was working at the South Staffordshire Waterworks Company when he enlisted into the Royal Air Force on 5 July 1940.

Called up, he served firstly as a Wireless Operator with No. 77 Squadron (Coastal Command), flying Halifaxes, and undertook his first operational sortie against Cologne on 11 December 1941. He undertook a further 13 sorties during the period 16 December 1941 to 27 April 1942, with targets including Rotterdam, Wilhelmshaven, St. Nazaire, and Dunkirk. He then took part in 24 operational submarine patrol sorties with Coastal Command from 3 June-1 October 1942, before reverting to Bomber Command in early 1943. His first sortie back with Bomber Command was on Lorient on 4 February 1943, when his aircraft was hit by flak; after a return visit to Lorient, and an attack on St. Nazaire, he took part in a raid on Munich on 9-10 March 1943. His aircraft was shot down, but he baled out - earning the Caterpillar Club Badge (this having been sold at DNW in December 2019).

Bateman injured his foot upon landing and was sheltered by a Belgian family who attempted to contact the Resistance. That was in vain and he was taken a Prisoner of War. He was held for the remainder of the War at Oflag XXI B and then at the infamous Stalag Luft III at Sagan, and was present there when the ‘Great Escape’ occurred on the night of 24-25 March 1944.

Sold together with the following original archive comprising:

(i)
His Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying Log Book (Form 1767), covering all his Ops, up until posted 'Missing'.

(ii)
Forwarding enclosure for his D.F.C., in the name of 'Flight Lieutenant Dennis W. Bateman, D.F.C.

(iii)
Royal Air Force Service & Release Book.

(iv)
His POW identity tag.

(v)
Various official letters and documents, photographs and newspaper cuttings.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£2,000 to £3,000

Starting price
£1800