Post-WW2 RAF OFFICERS SD TUNIC - NAMED "Ft/Lt Watts" DFM - 35 SQDN - PATH FINDER FORCE. Really nice officers' service dress tunic, named to "Ft/Lt Watts", who was a Path Finder Force member with 35 squadron flying out of RAF Graveley. George Peter Watts was awarded his DFM for action with 13 Squadronin 1940. Paperwork accompanying the tunic shows his medals were sold at sale, the same medals matching the ribbons on this tunic. The listing for the medals indicates his service as an air gunner, flying in Lysander aircraft, as part of the air component with the BEF, carrying out reconnaissance flights. In an action, Watts and his pilot, Flight Lieutenant Blackwood, were engaged by 2 Me109s, and Watts was able to fend them off with his Lewis gun, while Blackwood flew down to the deck and began hedge hopping to evadethe Me109s. The Gazette printout included shows an entry for Watts, and hewas commissioned and made Pilot Officer in or around May/June 1942. Watts later goes on to become a bomb aimer, joining 35 Squadron PFF, flying out of Graveley in Halifax aircraft. He was subsequently shot down on 12/6/43 and made a Prisoner of war.
The tunic is in pretty good condition, with some minor soiled marks, but no holes or major damage we can see.The tunic fitted with a nice Bomb Aimer's brevet, medal ribbons, one of which isfor the aforementionedDFM. All in excellent condition, without issue. Original belt/buckle and all buttons are still in place.
The Tunic fitted with the original screw-back Pathfinder Force Eagle badge. This was awarded only on a temporary basis, after 8-10 missions or so, but was discretionary, and only given out after recommendation by a squadron commander. The badge was only awarded permanently after completinga tour of 45 operations, or again, discretionarily, if an airman was shot down and captured, injured, or killed.
The tunic is labelled, manufactured by "WALTER MONCRIEFF" Tailors of Folkestone, also named to "Ft.Lt WATTS" and dated Dec 55.The tunic comes with 5printed sheets of information about Flight LieutenantWatts, regarding his medals, sold at sale by SPINK, when he was shot down flying with 35 Squadron PFF, andwhen he was gazetted. All this was done by the previous owner and is included with the tunic. A really rather nice tunic, awarded to a member of the Elite Pathfinder Force, a true rarity to find a named tunic with history! Grab this one while you can. It really would grace any RAF collection or museum display.
We have the following measurements for sizing the tunic:
Chest: 21.5 inches across
Waist: 18 inches across
Shoulder to cuff: 22 inches
Armpit to cuff: 15 inches
Neck to bottom hem: 28.5 inches
OVERSEAS BUYERS PLEASE CONTACT US FIRST FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE.
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