Re: Ex-POW-War Hero's Medals Auctioned

Date: April 30, 2004

"Unique medals go under hammer

A Victoria Cross awarded to a legendary Second World War airman is today expected to fetch a record price in a sale which includes medals given to suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst and a member of the infamous "Dam Busters" squadron.

Experts believe that Sgt Norman Jackson's legendary attempt to save the crew of a blazing Lancaster bomber on a raid over Germany could see bidders top the existing record price of £178,250 for a VC.

Also on sale at London auction house Spink is an Imprisonment Medal awarded to Pankhurst and a Distinguished Flying Cross, given to Dam Buster engineer Group Captain Ivan Whittaker.

Mr Jackson's children have been forced to sell the medal as complications with their mother's will prevented it from being presented to the RAF Museum, in Hendon, which hosts a display detailing his astounding exploit in 1944.

The 25-year-old flight engineer plunged 20,000ft from the wing of a burning Lancaster bomber after clambering out of the cockpit in an attempt to extinguish flames and save his fellow crew members.

He tumbled to earth beneath a burning parachute and sustained horrific burns, later escaping from a prisoner of war camp after spending 10 months in hospital.

Richard Bishop, who will preside over today's sale, said: "It is perhaps the most prized Victoria Cross awarded to a member of the Air Force and is likely to be sold for far more than the reserve price of £120,000 to £140,000.

"There is interest from across the world. Unlike the Army or Navy, a Victoria Cross awarded to a member of the Air Force tended to be for acts of individual bravery, for incredible feats of gallantry, which gives the medals a certain kudos."

Pankhurst's honour, awarded in 1908 by the Women's Social and Political Union, to mark her imprisonment following the production of leaflets calling on the general public to "rush the House of Commons" is expected to fetch over £30,000.

The medal, one of only three of its kind, is inscribed "October 8th", "Holloway" and "H24" signifying the date of her imprisonment, and the prison, wing and cell number where she spent her three month sentence.

  ©Trinity Mirror Plc 2004"