A "very rare" private collection of memorabilia commemorating the World War II Dambusters hero Guy Gibson is to be auctioned in Leicestershire next month. The sale is an opportunity to pick up items which tell the story of Wing Commander Gibson, RAF colleagues and Sir Barnes Wallis - inventor of the 'bouncing bomb' which was used to devastating effect in the famous raid.
The collection was amassed by photographer Derrick Warren, who died aged 81 in 2022. The items were on display at the former home of the Dambusters, RAF Scampton, in Lincolnshire, until its closure in March 2023.
In all, 54 lots will be sold off at Market Harborough's Gildings Auctioneers, with thestandout lot being a pair of cloth wings removed from Gibson’s uniform and originally given to his cousin. Now mounted in a presentation frame, it is estimated to sell for £1,000 - £1,500.
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The Dambusters raid, codenamed Operation Chastise, was undertaken by the specially formed 617 Squadron in May 1943. As a boy Mr Warren, who went on to work as a photographer for the Coventry Telegraph, was captivated by the story and was particularly inspired by the squadron's leader, Guy Gibson and, later in life, became friends with members of the family.
Gibson led 133 men from the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA in 19 Lancaster bombers in the attack which destroyed the Möhne and Eder Dams and damaged the Sorpe Dam in Germany’s crucial Ruhr Valley industrial region. Of the 133 Dambusters, 53 were killed, three were taken prisoner and 48, including Gibson, survived.
Other lots of interest at Gildings' auction include a facsimile copy of Gibson’s logbook featuring autographs including those of Gibson’s wife, Eve, and the head of World War II Bomber Command, Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris. It has a guide price of £300 - £500. A childhood letter, described by Gildings as a rare example of Gibson's personal correspondence, is expected to sell for £800 to £1,200.
A photograph by Mr Warren of a Lancaster Bomber and signed by many people connected to 617 Squadron, including Barnes Wallis, is expected to fetch £200 to £300.
Gildings’ Director Mark Gilding said: "We’re delighted to offer Derrick Warren’s incredible tribute to Guy Gibson. It’s very rare to find items directly owned by Gibson, such as the cloth wings, so this is an unmissable opportunity for collectors. It’s not known whether the aircraft-related parts and equipment are from Dambusters aircraft but items from these planes and period are still very much a rarity.
“While Derrick was undoubtedly one of the most dedicated Dambusters afficionados out there, he was far from alone in his fascination. At the time, the mission provided a huge morale boost to the British people who had been at war for over three years. Due to the sheer audacity of the raid, famously depicted in the 1955 film, the legend endures to this day. As a result, we’re expecting a great deal of interest from far and wide.”
The 54 lots will go on sale at the Great Bowden Road auction room from 10am on Tuesday, January 7. The company said it expected the auction to realise £8,000 to £10,000.
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