719
*An Escaper’s M.M. Group awarded to Flight Sergeant A.R. Cottle, 47 Squadron, R.A.F., Five: Military
1/6
Description
*An Escaper’s M.M. Group awarded to Flight Sergeant A.R. Cottle, 47 Squadron, R.A.F., Five: Military Medal, George VI (1265632 Sgt. A.R. Cottle, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, Defence and War Medals, a few surface marks, good very fine; together with Flying Logbook, substantial further original documentation and related items (see below) (lot). M.M.: London Gazette: 16 May, 1944. The official recommendation for the award reads as follows: ‘On the 16th November 1943 Sgt. Cottle was the Navigator of a plane which was shot down near Kalymnos. When the aircraft hit the water he was dragged under the water by the sinking aircraft and had great difficulty in reaching and climbing into the dinghy which was now some 100 yards away. His right arm was useless owing to a bullet wound. Late on the following night Sgt. Cottle was picked up and taken to an Italian Convent Hospital at Kos. He refused to answer any questions put to him by the German interrogating officer. After a few days, he sold his watch, etc. and was able to buy civilian clothes. He slipped out of the hospital and was taken to a safe hiding place by some friendly Greeks. Each night he went down to the shore to try and contact a caique and on the night of December 5th he was successful and was taken to the Turkish coast and then transported to a hospital. Sgt. Cottle has shown great determination in escaping from the enemy territory, although wounded. It was a very fine achievement and an example to others of courage and initiative. Included with the lot are: Original Flying Logbook covering the period 13 May 1942 to Cottle’s repatriation on 12 February 1944; Goldfish Club Membership Card, named F/Sgt A.R. Cottle, August 24th 1943, and Goldfish Club uniform patch; A signed statement by Cottle describing being shot down on 16 November 1943: After attacking target we were ourselves attacked by two M.E. 109’s and one Arado 196. These planes made one attack which was unsuccessful. One M.E.109 and the Arado then broke off, but the remaining M.E.109 pressed home attack after attack starting at 1000 yds and closing to 20 yds. We kept turning into the attack and also corkscrewing, but we were unsuccessful in shaking off the M.E.. (During its second attack I received g.s.w. mentioned in previous signal.) Bullets and cannonshells were continuously pouring into the plane. My cupola was completely shot away also fixed aerial and I noticed the extreme tip of the starboard wing had disappeared. ‘These attacks lasted for at least five minutes, then without warning the plane hit the sea. As I was still facing the tail at the moment of impact, I swivelled around and saw F/O Bond slumped over the controls (whether he had been shot or knocked unconscious I am unable to say). There was a fire burning furiously on the starboard side of the well behind the pilot and this prevented me from getting to F/O Bond through the fuselage. So I clamboured [sic] on to the port wing and made my way to the pilot’s cockpit, but as soon as I got there the plane sank under me and I went down to some considerable depth entangled in the aerial wire. F/O Bond went down with the plane… …I should like to add that had the V.G.O. been mounted in this plane it is highly probable that we would have beaten off the attacker.’ A copy of The Pocket Padre with pencilled diary notes on back cover (some indistinct): 16 Pranged!!; 17 Schnelboot; 18 Kos; 19 Interrogated; 25 Got up; 26 Decided to escape; 28 [Interrogated(?) ]; 1 Left hospital [ ]; 2 Stay in barn over n[ight]; 3 No luck; 5 Escaped to Bodrum; 6 Left Bodrum; 7 Arrived [Kuşadasi?]; 8 On to Smyrna; 17 Left Smyrna; 19 Arrived Aleppo… ; Other documents, including Movement Order dated 28/29 Jan. 1944; Royal Air Force Service and Release Book recording service from 14 Sept. 1940 to 7 April 1946: ‘Has outstanding ability as an organiser and can be entrusted with any responsibility. He is an expert operator of electrical calculating machines and a good mathematician… Silver Rugby prize medal engraved 9 S.F.T.S. / R.A.F. Rugby XV 1940-41, 25.5mm, a broken ‘dog tag’ (reading COTTLE A.R. [ ]5632), two cloth R.A.F. Observer’s badges and a medal riband bar; 47 Squadron Reunion Menu, 1947, with signatures, newspaper cuttings and a copy photograph. ALFRED ROY COTTLE, born on 24 January 1916, earned his Goldfish Club membership when forced to ditch on 24 August 1943 after attacking a schooner and then being jumped by a FW190. On that occasion he spent only an hour so in the dinghy before being picked up by a U.S. destroyer. After being shot down and injured on 16 November, however, his second spell in the dinghy lasted for over 30 hours before he was picked up by a German Schnellboot and captured. In escaping from Kos Cottle received vital assistance from Greek citizens who unfortunately paid for their resistance to the Germans, although Cottle was in due course able to provide intelligence which was of real value to the Allies when the island was finally liberated. Provenance: By direct descent; previously on loan to the R.A.F. Museum, Hendon (reserve collection).
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
*An Escaper’s M.M. Group awarded to Flight Sergeant A.R. Cottle, 47 Squadron, R.A.F., Five: Military Medal, George VI (1265632 Sgt. A.R. Cottle, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, Defence and War Medals, a few surface marks, good very fine; together with Flying Logbook, substantial further original documentation and related items (see below) (lot). M.M.: London Gazette: 16 May, 1944. The official recommendation for the award reads as follows: ‘On the 16th November 1943 Sgt. Cottle was the Navigator of a plane which was shot down near Kalymnos. When the aircraft hit the water he was dragged under the water by the sinking aircraft and had great difficulty in reaching and climbing into the dinghy which was now some 100 yards away. His right arm was useless owing to a bullet wound. Late on the following night Sgt. Cottle was picked up and taken to an Italian Convent Hospital at Kos. He refused to answer any questions put to him by the German interrogating officer. After a few days, he sold his watch, etc. and was able to buy civilian clothes. He slipped out of the hospital and was taken to a safe hiding place by some friendly Greeks. Each night he went down to the shore to try and contact a caique and on the night of December 5th he was successful and was taken to the Turkish coast and then transported to a hospital. Sgt. Cottle has shown great determination in escaping from the enemy territory, although wounded. It was a very fine achievement and an example to others of courage and initiative. Included with the lot are: Original Flying Logbook covering the period 13 May 1942 to Cottle’s repatriation on 12 February 1944; Goldfish Club Membership Card, named F/Sgt A.R. Cottle, August 24th 1943, and Goldfish Club uniform patch; A signed statement by Cottle describing being shot down on 16 November 1943: After attacking target we were ourselves attacked by two M.E. 109’s and one Arado 196. These planes made one attack which was unsuccessful. One M.E.109 and the Arado then broke off, but the remaining M.E.109 pressed home attack after attack starting at 1000 yds and closing to 20 yds. We kept turning into the attack and also corkscrewing, but we were unsuccessful in shaking off the M.E.. (During its second attack I received g.s.w. mentioned in previous signal.) Bullets and cannonshells were continuously pouring into the plane. My cupola was completely shot away also fixed aerial and I noticed the extreme tip of the starboard wing had disappeared. ‘These attacks lasted for at least five minutes, then without warning the plane hit the sea. As I was still facing the tail at the moment of impact, I swivelled around and saw F/O Bond slumped over the controls (whether he had been shot or knocked unconscious I am unable to say). There was a fire burning furiously on the starboard side of the well behind the pilot and this prevented me from getting to F/O Bond through the fuselage. So I clamboured [sic] on to the port wing and made my way to the pilot’s cockpit, but as soon as I got there the plane sank under me and I went down to some considerable depth entangled in the aerial wire. F/O Bond went down with the plane… …I should like to add that had the V.G.O. been mounted in this plane it is highly probable that we would have beaten off the attacker.’ A copy of The Pocket Padre with pencilled diary notes on back cover (some indistinct): 16 Pranged!!; 17 Schnelboot; 18 Kos; 19 Interrogated; 25 Got up; 26 Decided to escape; 28 [Interrogated(?) ]; 1 Left hospital [ ]; 2 Stay in barn over n[ight]; 3 No luck; 5 Escaped to Bodrum; 6 Left Bodrum; 7 Arrived [Kuşadasi?]; 8 On to Smyrna; 17 Left Smyrna; 19 Arrived Aleppo… ; Other documents, including Movement Order dated 28/29 Jan. 1944; Royal Air Force Service and Release Book recording service from 14 Sept. 1940 to 7 April 1946: ‘Has outstanding ability as an organiser and can be entrusted with any responsibility. He is an expert operator of electrical calculating machines and a good mathematician… Silver Rugby prize medal engraved 9 S.F.T.S. / R.A.F. Rugby XV 1940-41, 25.5mm, a broken ‘dog tag’ (reading COTTLE A.R. [ ]5632), two cloth R.A.F. Observer’s badges and a medal riband bar; 47 Squadron Reunion Menu, 1947, with signatures, newspaper cuttings and a copy photograph. ALFRED ROY COTTLE, born on 24 January 1916, earned his Goldfish Club membership when forced to ditch on 24 August 1943 after attacking a schooner and then being jumped by a FW190. On that occasion he spent only an hour so in the dinghy before being picked up by a U.S. destroyer. After being shot down and injured on 16 November, however, his second spell in the dinghy lasted for over 30 hours before he was picked up by a German Schnellboot and captured. In escaping from Kos Cottle received vital assistance from Greek citizens who unfortunately paid for their resistance to the Germans, although Cottle was in due course able to provide intelligence which was of real value to the Allies when the island was finally liberated. Provenance: By direct descent; previously on loan to the R.A.F. Museum, Hendon (reserve collection).
Orders, Decorations and Medals
Sale Date(s)
Lots: 1-603
Lots: 604-720
Venue Address
Sotheby's
Upper Grosvenor Gallery
The Aeolian Hall, Bloomfield Place
New Bond Street
London
W1A 2AA
United Kingdom
For Morton & Eden Ltd. delivery information please telephone +44 (0)20 7493 5344.
Important Information
SALEROOM NOTICES
Lot 7: This is a post 1918 Rothe issue with a Mayer ring from another order attached,
estimate reduced to £300-500
Lot 21 This is a good quality Belgian made collector’s copy, the reverse of the retaining
pin does not read 1950 but A950; revised estimate £300-400
Lot 39 The right hand dragon on the star is damaged; revised estimate £800-1,000
Lot 54 The badge is 8th class rather than 9th, estimate remains unchanged
Lot 71 This is the CSSR issue and is now offered uncased, revised estimate £3,000-5,000
Lot 72 This is the First Czech Republic type and is offered with case of issue, revised
estimate is £1,800-2,200
Lot 73 The badge is numbered 96, the number is in the small circle beneath the lower linden branch
Lot 76 Withdrawn
Lot 77 Withdrawn
Lots 79-82: All withdrawn
Lot 94 Offered with case of issue and related sash
Lot 128 The illustration above the lot description is wrongly numbered 127
Lot 147 Offered with case of issue
Lot 159 Incorrectly numbered lot 160 on plate
Lot 160 Incorrectly numbered lot 159 on plate
Lot 201 Incorrectly numbered lot 202 on plate
Lot 202 Incorrectly numbered lot 201 on plate
Lot 243 The star from this set is from a type 1 (1905-08) set of insignia as Witte only made type 1 insignia, estimate remains unchanged
Lot 244 This is incorrectly numbered lot 243 on upper part of plate (lot 243 is correctly numbered on lower part of plate, however)
Lot 253 Now offered with case of issue
Lot 258 Now offered with case of issue and additional breast star
Lot 260 Now offered with case of issue and additional dress miniature
Lot 279 Now offered with case of issue for a Grand Cross set
Lot 291 Now offered with case of issue
Lot 316 Now offered with case of issue
Lot 335 This incorrectly numbered lot 336 on the plate (lot 336 is correctly numbered,however)
Lot 413 Now offered with case of issue
Lot 417 Now offered with case of issue
Lot 427 Now offed with case of issue
Lot 428 Now offered with case of issue
Lot 429 Now offered with case of issue
Lot 438 Now offered with case of issue
Lot 471 Now offered with case of issue
Lot 473 Now offered with (distressed) case of issue
Lot 485 Now offered with case of issue
Lot 539 This incorrectly numbered 537 on the plate
Lot 573 This is the 1957-81 (type 1) version of the Medal for Bravery (Tamga-i-Shujaat)
not the 1971 war issue.
Lot 687 The rank is Police Lieutenant rather than Probationary Lieutenant as described
Lot 688 Probably no more than 250 GSM Malaya medals were issued with the rank of
Police Sergeant as the majority later became Police Lieutenants and were named
thus
Lot 691 The group is awarded to David Alexander Simpson, not David Alexander as per
the lot heading
All questions and comments relating to the operation of this sale or to its content should be addressed to Morton & Eden Ltd and not to Sotheby’s.
Public viewing:
45 Maddox Street, London W1S 2PE
Monday 8 June 10.00am to 4.30pm
Tuesday 9 June 10.00am to 4.30pm
Wednesday 10 June 10.00am to 4.30pm
Or by previous appointment.
Online Bidding
This auction can be viewed online at www.the-saleroom.com, www.invaluable.com and www.sixbid.com.
Morton & Eden Ltd offers an online bidding service via www.the-saleroom.com. This is provided on the understanding that Morton & Eden Ltd shall not be responsible for errors or failures to execute internet bids for reasons including but not limited to: i) a loss of internet connection by either party; ii) a breakdown or other problems with the online bidding software; iii) a breakdown or other problems with your computer, system or internet connection. All bids placed through www.the-saleroom.com are also subject to our standard Conditions of Business.
In completing the registration on www.the-saleroom.com and providing their credit card details, unless alternative arrangements are agreed with Morton & Eden Ltd, buyers
i) authorise Morton & Eden Ltd, if they so wish, to charge the credit card in part or full payment, including all fees, for items successfully purchased in the auction via www.the-saleroom.com and
ii) confirm that they are authorised to provide these credit card details through www.the-saleroom.com to Morton & Eden Ltd and agree that Morton & Eden Ltd are entitled to ship the goods to the cardholder name and cardholder address provided in fulfilment of the sale.
Important Information for Buyers
All lots are offered subject to Morton & Eden Ltd’s Conditions of Business and to reserves.
Estimates are published as a guide only and are subject to review. The hammer price of a lot may well be higher or lower than the range of figures given and there are no fixed starting prices.
* Illustrated lots are marked with an asterisk. Images of additional items not illustrated in the printed catalogue are available online.
A Buyer’s Premium of 20% is applicable to all lots in this sale and is subject to VAT at the standard rate (currently 20%). Unless otherwise indicated, lots are offered for sale under the Auctioneer’s Margin Scheme.
‡ Lots marked with a double dagger symbol have been imported from outside the European Union (EU) to be sold at auction under Temporary Admission Rules. When released to buyers within the EU, the buyer becomes the importer and must pay import VAT (currently 5%) on the hammer price.
VAT may be refunded to buyers from outside the EU under certain circumstances and if satisfactory evidence of export is produced within three months of the date of sale.
Morton & Eden Ltd can obtain quotations for the shipping of purchases and assist in applying for export licences. However buyers are reminded that it is their responsibility to comply with UK export regulations and with any local import requirements.
Morton & Eden Ltd will be pleased to execute bids on behalf of those clients unable to attend the sale in person, subject to our Conditions of Business. Lots will always be purchased as cheaply as possible, depending on any other bids and reserves. This service is offered free of charge.
Written bids should be submitted before 6pm on the day prior to the sale.
Payment Instructions
Payment must be made in pounds sterling and is due at the conclusion of the sale and before purchases can be released.
Bank Transfers:
Please quote your name and invoice number with the instructions to the bank.
Cheques and banker’s drafts should be drawn on a UK bank. We require seven days to clear cheques unless special arrangements have been made in advance of the sale.
Please note foreign cheques will not be accepted.
Credit and Debit Cards. All credit and non-UK debit card payments are subject to a surcharge of 2%.
Sterling Cash. Subject to statutory limits.
