Battle of Britain Pilot's Medals

[Adam H]

OK! I seem to have the picture hosting sorted so I thought some of you might be interested to see this medal group...

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They are, from left to right:
1939-45 Star with "Battle of Britain" clasp, Air Crew Europe Star, Pacific Star, Canadian Voluntary Service Medal with "Overseas" clasp, WWII War medal.

Below is the Canadian Memorial Cross (sometimes also referred to as the "Mother's Cross" or the "Cross of Sacrifice" and to the right the case of issue.

To the left is the award slip from the Canadian government awarded along with the cross, and below that the original envelope for the "Battle of Britain" bar.

Here is a close-up of the obverse of the Memorial Cross:

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And here is the reverse, with the recipient's details engraved:

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These medals are those of Squadron Leader John William KERWIN. Here's a brief bio on a rather interesting Canadian aviator.

Born in Toronto 7 May 1918, Johnny Kerwin passed most of his adolescence there until proceeding to the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston in 1935. He was not at RMC for long as he left the next year before completing his studies, citing financial reasons for his departure.

He next applied for a commission in the Royal Canadian Air Force in November 1937. Kerwin had already obtained a private pilot's license and, thus, made a particularly attractive pilot applicant. For reasons unknown he did not actually begin his service until early 1939, but this is probably best explained away by military bureaucracy!

Following his initial training, he was awarded his wings on 2 September 1939, the day after Germany invaded Poland. Posted to #1 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF (flying Hurricanes), Kerwin proceeded overseas to England in June 1940. #1 was the only RCAF fighter squadron engaged during the Battle of Britain (though many Canadian pilots served in other squadrons, notably #242 commanded by Douglas Bader) During the battle, Kerwin was credited with 3 victories (some sources cite 2 ½) these were a Dornier 215 on August 31st, a Bf 110 and another Dornier 215 on September 1st. His exploits during the battle are recorded in several books on the topic; he gets a nice mention in “The Splendid Hundred” by Arthur Bishop (p.54)

“Ed Reyno, Bev Christmas and Tommy Little shared in the damage of another bomber, and Otto Peterson also claimed a damaged. But Johnny Kerwin turned in the star performance. In the mass head-on attack, he fired seventy rounds into one of the enemy machines that sent it spinning into the ground. Then he spotted eight Messerschmitt 110s chasing two Hurricanes and gave chase. Singling out the rear German fighter, he fired what was the last of his ammunition into it. At that moment cannon-fire pierced his auxiliary fuel tank causing a fire in the cockpit. Kerwin wasted no time jumping over the side and parachuted into a farmer’s field near Maidstone. Except for hand and face burns he escaped serious injury”

Kerwin’s wounds were serious enough to have him posted as non-effective. He was repatriated to Canada where he served as an instructor with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, in Brandon Manitoba. In mid-1942 he was posted to #111 (F) squadron flying P-40 Kittyhawks in British Columbia. With the Japanese threat looming in the North-West, this squadron was soon sent up to Alaska to help defend the area along with the American forces already posted there.

The Japanese invasion of the Aleutian Islands prompted the US Command to request Canadian squadrons moved to forward bases to assist in the defence of the island chain. Newly-promoted to Squadron Leader and C.O. of #111 Squadron, Kerwin set off with 6 other Kittyhawks for Umnak Island from their base in Anchorage. The Aleutians have the dubious reputation as having some of the most inhospitable weather for flying due to dense fog which can quickly shroud the rugged and mountainous terrain. During the flight, the pilots became lost in dense fog and 5 of them crashed, including Squadron Leader Kerwin. His body was recovered and buried with full military honours at Fort Glenn, Umnak Island. It was later exhumed and reburied at Fort Richardson, Alaska.
A tragic and ironic end for a brave pilot, who survived the Battle of Britain, only to die at the hands of the elements.

Here is a photo of his grave in Fort Richardson Cemetery.

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A photo of Kerwin from the “Globe and Mail” newspaper July 1942.

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Kerwin’s group is a scarce combination of medals. Fewer than 100 Canadians received the “Battle of Britain” bar for their 1939-45 Star (estimated at 88). A very small number of Battle of Britain pilots went on to serve in this obscure campaign, and indeed Pacific Stars to the RCAF are quite scarce in their own right. I believe the other four pilots who died along with Kerwin are the only Canadian casualties for the Aleutian campaign, although a very small number may have died from other accidents (flying or otherwise) or natural causes.

You may notice that the medals are unmounted...this is of course because they were never worn, and in fact are still in their little issue boxes. The Memorial Cross was given to Kerwin's wife, who obviously wore it suspended from this RCAF "sweetheart pin". His wife died in the mid 1950s (cause unknown) and these medals stayed with the solicitor who handled her estate. When he died the medals were purchased by a fellow I know, from whom I acquired them.

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Here is a close-up of the Battle of Britain Clasp. There are many copies of this rare award, so collectors beware. Things to look for are the shape of the “O” in “OF” it should be oval like it is here, whereas most copies are round. The scalloped edges should be identical to this example; any variation from this should be avoided. Please feel free to copy this image for future reference.

I’m curious if any Luftwaffe experts might be able to identify the Dorniers and the Messerschmitt destroyed by Kerwin during the B of B…are there sufficiently detailed records that might shed light on this? If so please enlighten me.

Enjoy the photos, and of course any and all questions or comments are welcome!

Good hunting!

Adam

[Chris Boonzaier]

A super set indeed!
I remember about 8 years ago, in a scumbag pawn shop in Toronto, I bought a set with 39-45 star, air crew europe, Burma, war medal and canadian service medal, with the little note to the family. He was killed in Burma and was one of a tiny handful of Canadians to die there.
The guy tried to screw me and calculated $20 a medal, not realising the Air crew Europe costs a few $$ more.
I was not the wisest of wise either, selling the set for $200...

[Adam H]

I like these medals, better than a DFC in my books, and far more rare besides! Kerwin seems to have missed out on being awarded something...I've seen pilots with similar combat records getting a DFC or at least an MiD. The Squadron Leader that took over 111(F) RCAF after his death (S/L Ken Boomer, also a Battle of Britain vet) shot down a Jap Zero floatplane - the only Japanese aircraft ever to be destroyed by an RCAF unit. It also made Boomer the first Canadian to account for a German, Italian and Japanese plane. For this and for attacking a Japanese sub a few days later, Boomer was awarded the American Air Medal, to go with his DFC. Poor Kerwin, always in the wrong place at the wrong time! Had he been a bit less daring during the Battle of Britain he probably would have had a couple more "kills" and likely a DFC. Had he not been ordered forward to Umnak Island on that fateful day...he likely would not have crashed and may well have bagged the Japanese plane himself. But of course such are the fortunes of war!

That group you found does sound nice, Burma groups to Canadians are scarce as well, and are almost exclusively to RCAF or RCN personnel. I remember those "scumbag pawnshops" too...found a couple of nice items there myself.

Depending on when you sold the medals...you didn't do THAT badly. WWII groups are tough if they don't have (at least) one named medal, but original documents are always nice. Incidentally...A.C.E. Stars are now selling for about $150 as singles! Scary stuff.

Out of curiosity what do you (and any other forum members) rate the value of this group at? I have had some interesting estimates from other collectors...just wondering what you guys think.

Cheers,

Adam