Thread: WW1 DFC for sale

I think they have seriously underestimated the price this will go for

Published Date: 17 April 2009
A DISTINGUISHED Flying Cross awarded to one of Sheffield's very first airmen is expected to fetch up to £1,200 at auction next week.

Sheffield-born Captain John Collier joined the Royal Air Force on the day it was launched - April 1, 1918 - and, just a few months later, was awarded the DFC for his daring exploits.

That means he was one of the first recipients of the DFC, introduced on June 3, 1918.

The DFC is awarded for "an act of valour, courage or devotion to duty, whilst flying in active operations against the enemy".

During the First World War he served with 73, 46 and 80 Squadrons and with 80 Squadron he flew Sopwith Camel single-seat fighter bi-planes and Sopwith Snipes over France.

Captain Collier was also one of the first RAF men wounded in action, on April 6, 1918, just five days after the RAF was founded.

But he survived the horrors of World War One and was discharged in April 1919.

Whether he ever returned to his native Sheffield is not known.

Captain Collier's DFC, which is solid silver, will be auctioned at Spink in London next Thursday. It is in "extremely fine" condition and, because it is engraved with Captain Collier's name, it is around £300 more valuable than other DFCs which are not engraved.

Spink: Dealers and Auctioneers in Coins, Medals, Stamps, Banknotes & Books since 1666

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R., reverse contemporarily engraved, 'Capt. J. Collier 80th Sqdn. R.A.F., 8th Nov 1918', extremely fine
Estimate £ 1,000-1,200

D.F.C. London Gazette 8.2.1919 Lt.(A./Capt.) John Collier (France).
''An officer of conspicuous determination and bravery. Under most unfavourable weather conditions he carried out, on 8th November, a very important reconnaissance. Flying at very low altitude, he obtained a complete report which was correct in all details and of the greatest assistance to our advance. Capt. Collier is a fine leader, and has an enemy machine to his credit.''

Captain John Collier, D.F.C, born Sheffield, Yorkshire; commissioned Lieutenant Royal Air Force 1.4.1918; service during the Great War included with 73 Squadron, 46 Squadron and 80 Squadron (wounded 6.4.1918); it was with the latter that he was flying Sopwith Camels and Sopwith Snipes in the French Theatre of War at the time of his recommendation for the D.F.C.; 80 Squadron were specialised in ground attack work, moving from sector to sector wherever their services were most needed - as a consequence of this the squadron did not stay at one airfield for longer than 12 days at a time during it''s Great War operational service; Temporary Captain 13.9.1918; discharged April 1919.