Hello- I found a book in our case that my father in law brought over from the UK on the Blitz. He got it in a charity shop, but it turns out it has some interesting signatures inside the cover.



edit- just signed up to imgur to post this- not sure if it is the embed, igur sharing or cache, not able to see it in this post

https://imgur.com/gallery/ooE1CcK

I recognize Robert Stanford Tuck and James "Ginger" Lacey and Christopher Foxley Norris, but can't make out the others.

The BBC guy also shows up in Wikipedia. Anyone able to make out the names? I'd love to know who else is there.

Not looking for a value, as I will hold onto this and hopefully pass it down. (unless my father in law comes over to reclaim it)

Don Kingsely

On my phone now, and the screen is too small to seethe names well, so I'll double back and check on a larger display later.

In the last year or two, there was a documentary (BBC?) that interviewed one of the last surviving fighter pilots from the Battle of Britain. IIRC, he was an Irishman, living in a home for retirees. Even at his age he was remarkably sharp and animated, although I seem to recall he was in a wheelchair. Not %100 certain, but I think it may have been Ginger Lacey.

If you haven't already, I'd suggest reading Sir Douglas Bahder's book on his experiences flying in the Battle of Britain.

Chris Foxley-Norris

Brian Kingcome

Tom Gleave

Don Kingaby

Cool book. Used to live near a pub called the White Hart in Brasted, Kent where all the BoB pilots from Biggin Hill used to drink after ops. They had a blackboard (chalk board) that they all signed, including (after the war) Adolf Galland. The original board was later presented to the RAF Museum in Hendon, London.

quote:

IIRC, he was an Irishman, living in a home for retirees. Even at his age he was remarkably sharp and animated, although I seem to recall he was in a wheelchair. Not %100 certain, but I think it may have been Ginger Lacey.

Thanks for that- depending on the accuracy of Wikipedia, Ginger Lacey was a Yorkshire man. That is one broad accent that is probably least likely to sound Irish. This finding has been a good distraction today.

Robert Stanford Tuck was godfather to Adolf Galland's son! it seems they got along well. cool stories about him in Wiki:
Robert Stanford Tuck

Hendon is a tremendous museum.

Am I missing somewhere the title of the book being specified?

Holy crap.

What a treasure.

It is called "the Blitz on Britain" by Alfred Price. The book itself isn't so important, but who signed is.

I looked around. There is one copy of this signed by the author but no others available with anything like what you have. A true treasure.

nice set,