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Auction: 7012 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 571

Family Group: A Hurricane and Spitfire Pilot´s D.F.C. Group of Six to Pilot Officer A.L. Briand, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was Killed in Action During Italian Operations a) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse dated ´1945´, in Royal Mint case of issue b) 1939-1945 Star c) Africa Star, with North Africa 1942-43 bar d) Italy Star e) Defence and War Medals, extremely fine, with the following documents and related material &c.: - Pilot´s Flying Log Book, covering the period 6.10.1941 to 8.2.1945, well annotated - Silver Salver (Hallmarks for Sheffield 1945), 370mm, engraved ´Presented to Pilot Officer Alfred Louis Briand by Lever Brothers & Unilever Limited in appreciation of his being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on the 7th. February 1945.´, with associated letter dated 13.12.1945 - Letter to the recipient´s mother from the Air Ministry, dated 8.12.1945, informing her of the award of the D.F.C.; recommendation statement; and Air Ministry enclosure for the D.F.C. - Air Council Enclosure named to ´Pilot Officer A.L. Briand, D.F.C.´ confirming the award of the campaign medals and bar - United States Army Southeast Air Corps Training Center (sic) Diploma named to the recipient and dated 24.4.1942, with accompanying ´Blind Flight´ certificate - Letter to the recipient´s mother from Air Vice Marshal R.M. Foster, dated 7.3.1946 - Photograph of the recipient Three: Sergeant C.C. Briand, Royal Guernsey Militia, attached Royal Irish Regiment 1914-15 Star (3172 L. Cpl. C.C. Briand, R. Ir: Regt:); British War and Victory Medals (3172 Cpl. C.C. Briand. R. Ir. Regt.), very fine, with the following documents &c.: - Recipient´s Royal Guernsey Militia Card, dated 2.4.1914 - Recipient´s Certificate of Discharge, dated 17.5.1917 - Two photographs of the recipient - Teachers Registration Council document, dated 1.5.1932. 1914-15 Star (1523. L. Cpl. T.H. Moxon, 7-Lond. R.), extremely fine, together with two photographs, one of the recipient, and one of the Loos Memorial, France (10) Estimate £ 1,400-1,800 D.F.C. London Gazette 11.12.1945 Pilot Officer Alfred Louis Briand (189159), R.A.F.V.R., 145 Squadron, with effect from 7th February, 1945 (since deceased). The Recommendation states: ´Pilot Officer Briand has taken part in a large number of operational sorties. He has proved to be a keen, skilful and determined leader who, by his outstanding courage and efficiency, has materially contributed to the successful completion of many missions.´ Pilot Officer Alfred Louis Briand, D.F.C., was born in 1922, the son of Sergeant Charles Clement Briand. He enlisted in 1941, and began his training flying Stearman P.T.17s, based in Albany, Georgia, U.S.A., 6.10.1941; he finished his training in America with a ´Blind Flight´ in ´The Jeep´ 24.4.1942. Briand returned to Britain, flying Airspeed Oxfords whilst based at Shawbury, Shropshire; he made his first solo flight 19.6.1942; flew with 559 Squadron, Brunton, Northumberland (Hurricanes) 10.2-2.3.1943; 164 Squadron, Middle Wallop, Hampshire (Hurricanes) 9-31.3.1943; posted Bone, Algeria, North Africa 13.5.1943. Transferred 145 Squadron, Central Mediterranean Force, Lago, Italy (Spitfires) 19.5.1944; his first operation was to provide are cover to bombers 22.5.1944; first practice bombing 26.6.1944 ´I think this might be fun´ (Log Book refers). Numerous bombing and strafing operations followed, targeting gun positions, troop concentrations, and road and rail bridges throughout Italy, with several direct hits: ´Bombed and strafed houses occupied by Huns, 1.D.H., several N.M´s.(24.10.1944); Bombed and strafed cemetery, knocking off two of the Wermacht (31.10.1944); Bombed Church- Hun HQ- several D.H´s. (26.12.1944)´ (Log Book refers). Briand´s last flight was an Area Reconnaissance over Treviso to establish whether or not the railway line had been destroyed. He failed to return, and was posted missing presumed dead. His body was later recovered, and he is buried in Padua War Cemetery, Italy. 3172 Sergeant Charles Clement Briand, recruited Royal Guernsey Militia 2.4.1914; attached Royal Irish Regiment 10.2.1915; discharged 17.5.1917 suffering gun shot wound to the left hip; Assistant Master, Les Vaurbellets College, Guernsey, 1917-19; Gainsborough Road School, Hackney, London, 1921. 1523 Sergeant Thomas Henry Moxon, brother-in-law to Sergeant Charles Clement Briand, and uncle to Pilot Officer Alfred Louis Briand, born Kensington, London; served in the 7th Battalion, London Regiment; Killed in action 25.9.1915, and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.

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£3,000