This auction is live!

You need to be registered and approved to bid at this auction.

Watch the auction
This auction is closed!

It is no longer possible to bid at this auction.

You are registered for this auction

You are now approved to bid at this auction.

Your auction registration is now pending

You have successfully registered for this auction, pending approval to bid. Please check your email for further information.

Your auction registration has been declined

Please contact the auctioneer for more information.

Bidding has ended on this item

We are always adding new lots, use search to find similar items.

You are the current highest bidder!

To be sure to win, come back before the lot closes or increase your maximum bid.

You have been outbid!

For a chance of winning, increase your maximum bid.

You have been outbid!

Another bidder has already bid this amount. For a chance of winning, increase your maximum bid.

You have won!

Congratulations!

You are the winning bidder on this lot.

You have lost!

Unfortunately you have missed out on this lot.

Unable to place your bid

Please refresh your page to see current lot status.

We're very sorry, but we were unable to process the Buy it now.

Please contact customer services for more help.

Your bid has been declined

Your bid has been declined by the auctioneer, please contact customer services for more information.

Your bid is pending approval with the auctioneer

Please check your email account for more details.

You cannot Buy it now until you are approved to bid.
Please contact the auctioneer
0 GBP
0 Bid(s)
1
6 GBP
GBP
6 - 8 GBP
20.95 %
3 %
Live auction
Auction date(s): May 20
Lot location
., .
WW2 Sqn Ldr Noel. R. Stevens MBE Signed FDC. In Memory of Guy Gibson 1918 to 1994. Date stamped 1994, limited 24 of 41. Named in September 1940 in the November call-up for the Empire Air Training Scheme, Stevens returned to Sydney to enlist on 11 November in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He trained as a pilot in Australia and Britain and in December 1941 was posted to No. 457 Squadron, RAAF, on the Isle of Man. There he crashed in a Spitfire when the starboard tyre blew out while landing, hospitalising him for a week. On 15 February 1942 he was deployed to the Middle East, where he learned to fly Kittyhawks with No. 239 Wing, Royal Air Force. He commenced operational flying on 7 June 1942 when he joined No. 3 Squadron, RAAF, stationed at Gambut, Libya. The following month he flew dozens of short operations, experiencing a forced landing from a mechanical malfunction and being shot down twice. From October to December 1942 he increasingly led strafing and bombing raids on enemy positions; he shot down several enemy fighters: two German and one Italian (with more unconfirmed). In November 1942 he was commissioned. For his conduct and example to others, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in July 1943. In April 1943 the squadron moved to Tunisia. The next month Stevens was promoted to acting flight lieutenant and on 19 June to acting squadron leader, reported to have been the most rapid rise to that rank from sergeant pilot by an Australian airman. Concurrently, he was appointed to command the squadron. His primary focus became training pilots for the Allied invasion of Italy. The squadron was based in Malta from July. On 3 August he was again shot down by enemy ground fire, this time while flying over Sicily, and crashed near Mount Etna. In August he led a formation to the harbour of Milazzo, Sicily. Despite intense anti-aircraft fire, the squadron attacked and destroyed two ships, six barges, and a flying boat. For this operation and for his leadership, he was awarded a Bar to his DFC. Appointed as commanding officer of No. 451 Squadron on 29 August 1943, Stevens joined his new unit in Egypt. He assisted in the squadron's reformation, overseeing the replacement of Hurricanes by Spitfires. After learning that his wife was seriously ill, he applied for compassionate leave and returned to Australia in January 1944. He was posted to No. 2 Operational Training Unit, Mildura, Victoria, where he remained for the rest of the war training fighter pilots. The unit had no position for a squadron leader when he arrived, and he bore good-naturedly the indignity of reversion to his substantive rank of flying officer until a squadron leader's post became available in October 1944. Noted for his zeal and efficiency, he was credited as a good mentor who imparted his knowledge to pilots and those under his command. On 9 May 1944 he experienced another plane crash when the motor of his Spitfire failed, forcing him to land on a road. Good condition. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide.
Autograph Auction Victoria Cross winners, RAF Bomber Aces, Navy, Battle of Britain, Military signed covers
Live
Venue address
Internet Only
We Arrange Shipping On All Lots
., .
.
United Kingdom
Autograph Auction Victoria Cross winners, RAF Bomber Aces, Navy, Battle of Britain, Military signed covers

Auction dates
May 20, 2026 06:00 PM BST
Auction currency
GBP
Buyer's premium
20.95 %
Online commission
3 %
Accepted cards
Other payment methods
  • The UK delivery cost start from £4.99 for items up to £50 and from £6.95 for items over £50, plus any additional insurance to cover the full lot value. Overseas orders will be charged at cost. If you have special delivery instructions, do not hesitate to call us on 0800 1701314 

All autographs and first day covers will come securely packaged with an envelope stiffener in a board-backed envelope. Larger photographs and prints are sent in a tough tube, and books and oversized/framed items will be packaged with bubble wrap and sent in a box.


Buyers Terms & Conditions


1. Default
For all purposes of a sale the Auctioneers (Chaucer Covers) shall be deemed to be the agent of both the Seller and the Purchaser and they shall not be considered responsible for any default on the part of either the Seller or Purchaser.

2. Warranty of Title
The vendor warrants to Chaucer Covers and the buyer that he is the true owner of the property or is properly authorised to sell the property by the true owner and is able to transfer good and marketable title to the goods free from any third party claims.
The vendor warrants to Chaucer Covers and it's servants and agents and the buyer against any loss or damage suffered by either in consequence of any breach of the above on the part of the vendor

3. Bidding
The highest bidder for each lot shall be the Purchaser of it. No one is entitled to retract a bid. The Auctioneers reserve the right of refusing any bid without giving any reason and of altering, adding to, dividing, consolidating or withdrawing any lot or lots for sale.
The Auctioneers reserve the right to fix a reserve price for any lot at a figure no higher than the lower estimate.
The Auctioneers reserve the right to bid on behalf of the Seller on lots which are subject to a reserve price. The Seller shall not be entitled to bid where the Auctioneers have reserved such a right.
The Auctioneers will accept commission bids from any person who is unable to attend the sale. Bids will also be accepted by telephone, email and fax at the sender's risk.

5. Online Bidding via www.the-saleroom.com
Chaucer Covers offer an online bidding service via the-saleroom.com for bidders who cannot attend the sale.
In completing the bidder registration on www.the-saleroom.com and providing your credit card details and unless alternative arrangements are agreed with Chaucer Covers you authorise Chaucer Covers if they so wish, to charge the credit card given in part or full payment, including all fees, for items successfully purchased in the auction via the-saleroom.com, and confirm that you are authorised to provide these credit card details to Chaucer Covers. through www.the-saleroom.com and agree that Chaucer Covers are entitled to ship the goods to the card holder name and card holder address provided in fulfilment of the sale.
Please note that any lots purchased via the-saleroom.com live auction service will be subject to an additional 4.95% commission charge + VAT at the rate imposed on the hammer price

6. Risk
All lots shall be the sole risk of the Purchaser from the fall of the hammer. The Purchaser shall take all lots in the condition in which he finds them. It is the responsibility of all intending Purchasers to satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the authenticity in the authorship, date, age, period, condition or quality of any lot.

7. Liability
Neither the Seller of any lot nor the Auctioneers make or give nor has any person in the employment of the Auctioneers any authority to make or give any representation or warranty in relation to any lot and any implied conditions or warranties are excluded. All statements contained in the Catalogue as to the authenticity, attribution, genuineness, origin, authorship, date, age, period, condition or quality of any lot are statements of opinion only and are not to be taken as or implying statements or representations of fact. Lots are sold subject to all faults and errors in description or otherwise.

8. Indemnity
The vendor shall duly indemnify Chaucer Covers against any claim in connection with any goods sold by Chaucer Covers on the vendors behalf.

9. Payment
The Purchaser shall pay the Hammer Price together with a premium of 19.5% of this Price. An 19.5% premium will be payable by Purchasers outside the European Union (EU). Zero-rated goods such as books will be subject to a premium of 19.5% whether within or outside the EU unless entered by a VAT registered Seller.
Payments for lots must be made in cash, bankers draft or cheque guaranteed by the bank upon which it is drawn. Lots will not be released against cheques from Purchasers unknown to the Auctioneers until cleared by such Purchaser's bank. Payment is accepted by Visa and Mastercard.  Payment is also accepted by most debit cards with no surcharge.
Overseas clients are requested to settle accounts by Bank Transfer, Visa or Mastercard.


10. Delivery
Lots will only be released once payment in full has been received from the Purchaser. Lots will be dispatched by Special Delivery, insured or air mail post or courier. Shipping costs will be paid by the Purchaser.

11. Jurisdiction
These Conditions shall be governed by English law and the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.



INTERNET ONLY AUCTION

PLEASE NOTE: Winning lots will be sent via post.

Viewing of lots is by appointment by calling 0800 1701314

Buyer`s Premium 19.95% + VAT

Lots purchased online with the-saleroom.com will attract an additional charge for this service in the sum of 4.95% of the hammer price plus VAT at the rate imposed

Shipping:
All items are sent by either Recorded or Royal Mail Special Delivery. The UK delivery cost will be £4.95 for items up to £50 and £6.95 for items over £50, plus any additional insurance to cover the full lot value. Overseas orders will be charged at cost. If you have special delivery instructions, do not hesitate to call us on 0800 1701314

All autographs and first day covers will come securely packaged with an envelope stiffener in a board-backed envelope. Larger photographs and prints are sent in a tough tube, and books and oversized/framed items will be packaged with bubble wrap and sent in a box.