Lot 125
World War II; RAF and WAAF; D-Day
Eisenhower's order of the day for 6th June 1944, signed by RAF and WAAF officers
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: 21 September 2023 at 10:00 BST
Description
printed document (23.1 x 15.3cm), with insignia of the Allied Expeditionary Force to head and Dwight D. Eisenhower's printed signature at foot. With 13 autograph signatures in ink, 10 with postnominal air force ranks, including: B. Hughes (assistant section officer); G. [?K.] Gilson (squadron leader); A. E. McAlden (section officer); W. [?H.] Frost (rank illegible); W. R. Skinner (flying officer); J. D. McMillan (flying officer); and others. Old folds
Footnote
Note: A. E. McAlden is recorded in The Air Force List (October 1944) as a section officer (gazetted 1st July 1942) in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, Administrative & Special Duties Branch; the List also contains candidates for the authors of several of remaining signatures including: B. Hughes, gazetted section officer 1st January 1943, WAAF, 'G' Branch (column 7917, p. 936); G. K. Gilson, gazetted flight lieutenant 25th August 1942, general duties branch (navigators) (column 1102c, p. 387); and W. H. J. Frost, gazetted flying officer 13th January 1943, A. & S. D. branch (column 3661, p. 664). One J. D. Macmillan, 487 Squadron, RNZAF is shown in a photograph held by the Auckland Museum.
Provenance: By family repute from Hugh Crosby (16th March 1907-May 1987), uncle of the vendor, believed to have served at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire (home of the 'Dambusters', 617 Squadron).