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Auction: 6017 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 149

An Outstanding 1940 ´Battle of France´ D.F.M. Group of Four to Fairey Battle Air Gunner Leading Aircraftsman R.J. Utteridge, Royal Air Force, Who Destroyed Two Enemy Aircraft and Disabled Another, He Was Made a Prisoner of War Later that Year Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (536916. L.A.C. R.J. Utteridge. R.A.F.), in named original card box of issue; 1939-1945 Star; Defence and War Medals, extremely fine, the campaign medals in original addressed card box of issue, with Bomber Command Air Crew Commemorative Medal, in case of issue; a quantity of R.A.F. buttons and a R.A.F. Cap Badge; a quantity of School Attendance Medals, including a V.R. 1897, reverse engraved ´H. Utteridge´; Pocket Watch, silver, reverse engraved with an arrow pointing north and ´G.S.TP. 232703 XX´; Field Glasses, in leather case; photographs; Royal Air Force School For Prisoners of War Stalag Luft VI prospectus, inside gives recipient as a Lecturer; recipient´s Service and Release Book; (70) ´P.O.W. Letters´ all addressed to his sister Brenda Utteridge, spanning five years of imprisonment; and the following items believed to have been used whilst a Prisoner of War: transmitting device, in wooden case; small German silver spoon and ceramic tankard Items relating to Brenda Utteridge: - Helmet; gas mask in carrying case - Civil Defence Corps (North Riding) Uniform, Defence and War Medal ribands sewn on jacket - photographs, Auxiliary Territorial Service Notice to Join, named and dated 16.9.1939 And an archive of non-military documents and publications relating to both brother and sister including: - Certificates of Education from the University of London and the Institute of Linguists for R.J. Utteridge - Certificates of Education from the Universities of Oxford, Leeds, and London respectively; named invitation to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, dated 24.7.1973; Music Festival Prize Certificates all for Miss. B. Utteridge (lot) Estimate £ 2,800-3,200D.F.M. London Gazette 16.8.1940 536916 Leading Aircraftman Robert James Utteridge, No. 150 Squadron, The Recommendation states, ´Whilst acting as Air Gunner on a bombing raid on 13th June, 1940, with Flt. Lt. Hewson as pilot, he shot down one Me. 109, one Me. 110 and disabled a second Me. 109. But for this airman´s skill and courage, it is probable that the aircraft would have been shot down before being able to reach the cover of the clouds. Throughout his service with the squadron, this airman has maintained a very high standard of efficiency, both in air gunnery and as W/T operator.´ 536916 Warrant Officer Robert James Utteridge, D.F.M., born 5.4.1912; enlisted Royal Air Force, 15.12.1936; flew operational sorties with 150 Squadron (Fairey Battles), Stradishall, Suffolk and subsequent move to Newton, Nottinghamshire; M.I.9. Debrief states that he was wounded (scar on left temple) and captured at Poitiers, 14.10.1940; he was made a prisoner of war and was imprisoned in the following camps: Stalag Luft II (Barth), 2.2.1941-20.4.1942; Stalag Luft III (Sagan), 22.4.1942-June 1943; Stalag Luft VI (Heydekrug), June 1943-July 1944, during which time Utteridge lectured in the camp P.O.W. School, ´so my French class is finished from what they tell me I think they have all passed in French; one or two very near to the border though. I am now waging total war on maths and electricity, with Greek as a relief. I have got a very good maths book and I think I have learnt more about the subject in the past 9 months than I ever learnt at school; of course I am not Einstein but it is much safer to bet on me being right than it was formerly!´ (´P.O.W. Letter´ to recipient´s sister, dated 8.9.1943, refers); Stalag 357 (Thorn), July 1944-August 1944; Stalag 357 (Fallingbostal), August 1944-April 1945; on return to England Utteridge was discharged 29.9.1946 and went on seek further employment in education, whilst his sister went on to serve as Probation Officer for thirty-two years for the Guisborough District.

Sold for
£6,000