A Superb and Unusual 1939-45 Star and Caterpillar Club Badge awarded to Squadron Leader Edward Inkerman Jordan Bell, D.F.C., of No. 12 Squadron, R.A.F., late North Staffordshire Regiment. The son of a famous Southampton Football Club player, after passing out from Sandhurst in 1938 he volunteered for pilot training and was given a commission in the Royal Air Force in 1940. In 1941 he was forced to ‘ditch’ his aircraft in the sea off Spain during an electrical storm, after which he was interned and repatriated the following year. He was later recommended for the D.F.C. for his participation in bombing sorties over Berlin, Kiel and the Ruhr, but baled out of his Mosquito during a sortie over Frankfurt on 8 January 1944 and was taken Prisoner of War – being held at Stalag Luft III at Sagan – the scene of the Great Escape. After his release he returned once again to the Army, and qualified as a Glider Pilot, serving in Korea as a Major, comprising: 1939-45 Star, with Caterpillar Club Badge, in gold with ‘ruby’ eyes, 19mm, engraved to reverse ‘S/Ldr E.I.J. Bell DFC’, extremely fine (2) D.F.C.: London Gazette: 12 March 1943 this officer has participated in operational sorties over many highly defended targets, including Berlin, Kiel and the Ruhr. These attacks have invariably been completed with courage and skill. Squadron Leader Bell has set a fine example to his Flight and Squadron. His leadership has contributed in no small measure to their successes. Squadron Leader Edward Inkerman Jordan Bell was born in October 1918, just months after the death of his father of the same name, who was a professional footballer for Southampton F.C. and won the M.C. twice before being killed in action on 24 March 1918. Following in the footsteps of his father he settled upon a career in the Army, passing out of Sandhurst in 1938 with a commission in the North Staffordshire Regiment. Upon the outbreak of war in WW2, he volunteered for pilot training and was given a temporary commission in the R.A.F in 1940. Flying with 12 Squadron, he was forced to ditch off the Spanish coast during an electrical storm near Aguilas during a delivery flight on 20 June 1941 and was interned before being eventually repatriated via Gibraltar. He was also supposedly commended for devotion to duty when involved in a mid-air collision with another aircraft. He also undertook numerous bombing runs over Germany and was later awarded the D.F.C. in early 1943. Flying in Mosquitos (possibly with 627 (Pathfinder) Squadron, suggested by online research but not confirmed), he and his crew baled out from Mosquito DK293 over Frankfurt on 8/9 January 1944, after which he was taken P.O.W. and sent to Stalag Luft III along with F/O J. R. B. Battle. After being released from captivity at the end of WW2 he resumed service with the Army and trained as a Glider Pilot, later serving during the Korean War with the rank of Major. This lot offered with a handwritten letter from the recipients friend and crewmember Squadron-Leader John Battle, who was given this badge by Bell after his death, and other copied paperwork.

Estimate: GBP 800-1000