Hurricane pilot's WW2 Distinguished Flying Cross (1943), 193...

Estimate

£4,500 - £4,500

Hurricane pilot's WW2 Distinguished Flying Cross (1943), 1939-1945, Africa (North Africa 1942-43 bar), Defence Medal, BWM and Memorial Scroll to Flight Lieutenant C.H.S. Kirkus D.F.C. Royal Air Force extremely fine, mounted in a sturdy wood and glass folding travel frame with 2 photos in uniform, by Spink. With additional portrait photo with newspaper clipping attached.
Cyril Harley Sergeant Kirkus was killed in action flying a Hurricane fighter bomber from 241 Sqn while attacking German ground defences on Baldy Hill in Tunisia on 23rd April 1943 and is buried in Tabarka Ras Rajel War Cemetery. The Sqn Ops Record states "12 Hurribombers attacked the eastern slope of the hill at J.3874. No flak. (45600) F/L C.H.S. KIRKUS'S aircraft was seen to burst into flames while going into the dive and was seen to hit the ground in the middle of the target area. No explanation could be offered as to how this happened, but it is thought that a stray shell from a howitzer may have hit him as there was heavy shelling at the time."
His DFC was announced in the London Gazette dated 1st June 1943 "In the campaign in North Africa, this officer participated in numerous bombing and reconnaissance sorties, rendering valuable service. He has at all times displayed great skill and keenness."
He was commissioned in the Royal Artillery from Aldenham School Contingent OTC 24/6/39, granted temporary commission as a Pilot Officer in RAF 19/4/41, promoted Fl/Off 19/4/42, Flt/Lt 19/4/43.
With copied pages of Sqn records for a month prior to his death in which he is recorded taking part in the following bombing missions:
23 Mar - Enemy in vicinity of Y.4263.
24 Mar 0945 - Repair depot and tanks forming for attack Y.3766.
24 Mar 1205 - 88mm guns with secondary target vehicles at Y.4065.
25 Mar - Troop & truck concentration.
27 Mar - Railroad cars at Mezzouna Station.
28 Mar - Mark 6 Tanks & Battery of 155.
30 Mar - Vehicle concentration.
4 Apr - Bombed St Marie du Zit aerodrome.
9 Apr - MT & INF moving North on road Sousse- Enfidaville. Shot up INF on way back.
10 Apr 1050 - Bombed road north of Enfidaville and MET & INF.
10 Apr 1535 - Bombed road north of Enfidaville and MET & INF.
11 Apr - Bombed DEPIENNE Aerodrome.
15 Apr - Bombed MT & INF on Medjez-Tebourba road.
19 Apr - Bombed tanks and MT near Bordj Toum.
23 Apr - Bombed Baldy Hill near Jeppna F/L C.H.S. Kirkus failed to return.
His parents were from Sutton in Surrey. With a copied 1946 newspaper extract reporting the gift of a trophy to Sutton Bowling Club - "The handsome trophy - a replica of the Edinburgh Cup (dated 1700) was given by Councillor Kirkus in memory of his son, Flight Lieut Cyril H.S. Kirkus DFC, who was killed at the ned of the campaign in Tunisia. the trophy was given for annual competition for RAF charities". Sold with good qty of copied research. Offered on behalf of the family, never before on the market. (See photos) (B)