Six rare World War Two medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, were recently auctioned for £24,000. The recipient, Flight Lieutenant Edward Sydney Ellis, a Lancaster Bomber pilot from Luton, was one of only seven individuals to have earned this distinguished collection. Born in 1914, Ellis served with the 625 Squadron of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, completing numerous operational sorties, notably participating in raids on Berlin.
Described as a testament to Ellis’s unwavering dedication to his duty, the medals symbolize his courage and commitment to his crew’s safety despite facing personal risks. Mark Quayle, from Noonans Mayfair auctioneers, highlighted Ellis’s repeated acts of bravery while piloting his Lancaster Bomber, emphasizing his valor under fire.
Flight Lieutenant Ellis, affectionately known as Ted, joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in October 1940 and was called to active service the following April. His exceptional service saw him posted to the 625 Squadron at Kelstern in 1943. During a mission, his aircraft sustained damage from anti-aircraft fire, resulting in injuries to his crew members. Despite the challenges, Ellis skillfully crash-landed the damaged bomber upon returning to base.
The auctioned medals, acquired by a private collector, included prestigious honors such as the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for flying, the latter being the second-highest military decoration after the Victoria Cross. Ellis’s wartime service extended beyond combat missions, with postings to Turner Field, Georgia, and Gunter Field, Alabama, in 1942 before returning to the UK later that year.
Ellis’s wartime experiences reflect the valor and sacrifice exhibited by many service members during World War Two. The significance of these medals lies not only in their material value but in the historical context they represent—a reminder of the courage and resilience displayed by individuals like Flight Lieutenant Ellis in the face of adversity.
As the world commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe, stories of bravery and heroism from that era continue to captivate audiences. The recent auction of Ellis’s medals serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served during one of the most tumultuous periods in modern history.
While the monetary value of these medals is substantial, their true worth lies in the stories they tell and the legacy they preserve. Flight Lieutenant Edward Sydney Ellis’s remarkable service and the auction of his medals provide a glimpse into the lives of individuals who faced extraordinary circumstances with courage and fortitude, leaving behind a legacy of honor and sacrifice.
🔗 Reddit Discussions
- TIL Joseph McCarthy falsely claimed participation in 32 aerial missions in order to qualify for a Distinguished Flying Cross and multiple awards of the Air Medal, which the Marine Corps chain of command decided to approve in 1952 because of his political influence
- In 1944-45, Jimmy Stewart (yes, that Jimmy Stewart) flew 20 combat missions as a B-24 command pilot, wing commander or squadron commander, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm.
- U.S. Marine helicopter pilot: Major Chesarek receives the British Distinguished Flying Cross award for saving lives & for his bravery during combat operations in Iraq while attached to a British unit. He received the award from Queen Elizabeth. 2007. [2000×3008]