2nd Sep, 2021 10:30
Quarterly Specialist Sale
Wing-Commander John Woodburn Gillan DFC, AFC group
Wing-Commander John Woodburn Gillan DFC, AFC – Cased Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC 1940) & Cased Air Force Cross (AFC 1939), together with the 1939-1945 Star and The Air Crew Europe Star, all awarded to Gillan, also, to include two cased Royal Airforce Cadet College medallions, one for ‘Contest V. Queen’s College Cambridge 1924 – 1 Mile First’, the other ‘Inter-Squadron Rowing Contest – Fours Winners, 1927’ & silver and enamel ‘Northern Counties Athletic Association – 800yds 2nd, 1932 medallion’, with photograph of Gillan and his fiancée, Miss Clare Luce, ‘the American Actress’, outside the gates of Buckingham Palace after being awarded the DFC at the investitures
AFC London Gazette the 2nd of January 1939
DFC London Gazette the 30th of July 1940
Bar to DFC London Gazette the 9th of September 1941
Wing-Commander John Woodburn Gillan was born in 1907 and was the son of Rev. David Hedley Gillan and Helen Drummond. (Rev. Gillan effects – Lot 207)
He joined 49 Squadron in December 1940 and flew 9 operations, flying Hampdens with the squadron.
Gillan was awarded The Air Force Cross (AFC) after he set a speed record flying the Hawker Hurricane from Edinburgh to London in 48 minutes at an average speed of 408.75 mph. (Extra image – shows an image of Gillan and King George VI beside a bomber).
In a report written by the Air Ministry, dated 9th September 1941
The Officer has led the wind on nineteen occasions since July, 1941, and his fine leadership and cool courage have been an inspiration to his fellow pilots throughout all operations. On three recent escort missions Wing Commander Gillan has displayed especial skill and determination. He has destroyed one and damaged another enemy aircraft. He Led the North Weald Wing.
Before that, he has spent time in 111 Squadron as well. He was killed when the wing participated in a Circus escorting Blenheims of 139 Squadron to railway yards in Hazebrouck, France. He was shot down and went into the Channel. Brian Thynne, who at the time was a controller at a station during the time of the crash; when he had heard that his friend had been shot down, he jumped into an aircraft and went searching for him. Thynne was threatened with a court-martial because he refused to give up the search. He was awarded the bar to DFC After this death.
The contents of this lot have come from a family descent.
Sold for £6,200
Wing-Commander John Woodburn Gillan DFC, AFC – Cased Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC 1940) & Cased Air Force Cross (AFC 1939), together with the 1939-1945 Star and The Air Crew Europe Star, all awarded to Gillan, also, to include two cased Royal Airforce Cadet College medallions, one for ‘Contest V. Queen’s College Cambridge 1924 – 1 Mile First’, the other ‘Inter-Squadron Rowing Contest – Fours Winners, 1927’ & silver and enamel ‘Northern Counties Athletic Association – 800yds 2nd, 1932 medallion’, with photograph of Gillan and his fiancée, Miss Clare Luce, ‘the American Actress’, outside the gates of Buckingham Palace after being awarded the DFC at the investitures
AFC London Gazette the 2nd of January 1939
DFC London Gazette the 30th of July 1940
Bar to DFC London Gazette the 9th of September 1941
Wing-Commander John Woodburn Gillan was born in 1907 and was the son of Rev. David Hedley Gillan and Helen Drummond. (Rev. Gillan effects – Lot 207)
He joined 49 Squadron in December 1940 and flew 9 operations, flying Hampdens with the squadron.
Gillan was awarded The Air Force Cross (AFC) after he set a speed record flying the Hawker Hurricane from Edinburgh to London in 48 minutes at an average speed of 408.75 mph. (Extra image – shows an image of Gillan and King George VI beside a bomber).
In a report written by the Air Ministry, dated 9th September 1941
The Officer has led the wind on nineteen occasions since July, 1941, and his fine leadership and cool courage have been an inspiration to his fellow pilots throughout all operations. On three recent escort missions Wing Commander Gillan has displayed especial skill and determination. He has destroyed one and damaged another enemy aircraft. He Led the North Weald Wing.
Before that, he has spent time in 111 Squadron as well. He was killed when the wing participated in a Circus escorting Blenheims of 139 Squadron to railway yards in Hazebrouck, France. He was shot down and went into the Channel. Brian Thynne, who at the time was a controller at a station during the time of the crash; when he had heard that his friend had been shot down, he jumped into an aircraft and went searching for him. Thynne was threatened with a court-martial because he refused to give up the search. He was awarded the bar to DFC After this death.
The contents of this lot have come from a family descent.
Quarterly Specialist Sale
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Auction: Quarterly Specialist Sale, 2nd Sep, 2021
Our Quarterly Specialist Sale of Fine Furniture, Modern Design, Paintings, Prints, Silver, Jewellery, Watches, Ceramics, Glassware & other Collectors Items.
Viewing
As we cautiously reopen to the public, we want to keep staff and customers alike as safe as possible.
For everyone's reassurance, our staff will continue to wear masks in all public areas during viewing and sale days for the foreseeable future. We invite our customers to do the same, should you so wish.
Wednesdays before sale will now be viewable without appointment 10am till 5pm.
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Inspection of items in or behind our cabinets will remain strictly on a first come, first served basis - as social distancing and numbers allow. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
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