Fighter pilot war medal almost thrown away by family unaware of significance

A Second World War medal given to a hero fighter pilot was almost thrown away by his grandson who was unaware of the medal’s significance, or his grandfather’s war service.

The Distinguished Flying Cross awarded to Pilot Officer Roy Jack Hubert Hussey, from Chipping Sodbury, was taken to Hanham-based East Bristol Auctions by the pilot’s grandson who was clearing out some belongings.

Auctioneer Andrew Stowe said his ‘heart skipped’ when he saw a box with ‘DFC’ written on its top - the Distinguished Flying Cross - and then the medal inside.

His team then researched Officer Hussey, finding out he had been credited with 15 victories where he had successfully shot down an enemy aircraft - mostly during the North African campaign.

He had flown over 350 hours, taking part in 230 sorties but was killed on February 20, 1945, three days before his 22nd birthday, when his Mustang KH440 crashed on landing in Scotland.

Andrew Stowe, auctioneer at East Bristol Auctions said: “A gentleman had been clearing out a few of his belongings and brought a box along for us to look at.

“As he laid the items on the table I caught sight of this box that had ‘DFC’ on top.

“My heart skipped, as if there was a medal in the box – it could only be a good thing. I tentatively opened it up and there it was – the Distinguished Flying Cross.

“The gentleman knew it belonged to his grandfather, but knew no other details. If we hadn’t have spotted it, his next stop was to throw it away.

“The stories and history behind this medal are unfathomable – this was a young man’s medal and he was flying into some of the most dangerous territory and getting involved in some truly terrifying combat – and he was only twenty-one when he was killed.

“It couldn’t be a more poignant reminder of the horrors of war.”

Mr Stowe, who said the man only came in after spotting the sales office from the road, described it as ‘one of the most interesting things we’ve ever found relating to Bristol’.

The pilot grew up in Chipping Sodbury and his parents were publicans at the Beaufort Arms in Mangotsfield.

He joined the Royal Air Force as a volunteer after leaving school.

His remains are interred at Coxley Church near Wells.

Pilot Hussey’s full story can be read in the 2011 book: ‘Called To Arms: One Family’s War, From The Battle Of Britain, To Burma’.

The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded for ‘an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy’.

The medal goes under the hammer with a guide price of £5,000 at East Bristol Auctions on March 21 in an online-only auction.