Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Wing Commander G. D’Oyly Sheppard, Balloon Branch, Royal Auxiliary Air Force

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Sqn. Ldr. G. D’O. Sheppard. A.A.F) mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £160-£200

Provenance: Spink, April 2008

Gurney D’Oyly Sheppard was born at Chelmsford, Essex, in 1902, the son of Edward and Phyllis D’Oyly Sheppard. He was a Partner in the stock and share dealing firm Gayton Ellis & Co. prior to being granted a commission as an Acting Pilot Officer in 909 (County of Essex) (Balloon) Squadron, General Duties Branch, Auxiliary Air Force on 5 July 1938. He was promoted Flying Officer on 22 October 1938, Flight Lieutenant (Balloon Branch) on 1 September 1940, Temporary Squadron Leader (Balloon Branch) on 1 December 1941 and War Substantive Squadron Leader on 17 April 1945. He relinquished his commission on 18 December 1953 and was granted permission to retain the rank of Wing Commander with effect from 10 February 1954. He died at Brentwood, Essex in 1971.

Sold with a gilt metal cap badge.

Note: Barrage balloons were used for the defence of the Egyptian port of Alexandria during the Second World War, being under the control and administration of Royal Air Force personnel. These personnel were later to move these defence measures to Italian ports after the allied landings in 1943.