Chaucer Auctions
Lot 34
WW2 BOB FL/LT Gareth Leofric Nowell DFM, AE signed 7x5 black and white vintage photo. Failing to enrol in the RAFVR without parental permission, Gareth Nowell persevered and joined the service in 1936 as a fighter pilot. Called up in 1939 he joined No. 87 Squadron and was sent to France. During the German Blitzkrieg Nowell scored heavily in aerial combats, receiving a DFM and a bar. After a well-deserved rest in England he was posted to No. 32 Squadron and shot down a ME109 on the 23rd May 1940, but he was downed by several others and was wounded in the right arm, and ankle, baling out of his blazing Hurricane over France, suffering severe burns. Luckily, he was evacuated from Dunkirk back to England and was admitted in hospital close to death for some time, before beginning a long and slow recovery, receiving extensive treatment. He did not resume service until late 1941 in a fighter control role on Biggin Hill. Once again, he had to battle to be allowed to fly. In June 1943 however he managed to be posted to No. 124 Squadron in a combat position, claiming victories over a Me109 and a Fw190. In March 1944 he was posted to No. 616 Squadron and ended the war as an instructor in an Operational Training Unit now having been credited with 16 aerial victories. By the end of the war a medical board now assessed him as remaining medically unfit for flying due to his now permanent wounds after which he left the service in October 1945 on disability pension. He was involved in a number of business ventures and jobs until his retirement in 1977. He privately published his memoires called 'Resurgam'. Good condition. All autographs are genuine hand signed and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £10.
