Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Spitfire and Mustang Pilot’s D.F.C. group of five awarded to Flight Lieutenant J. C. Minto, Nos. 145, 611 and 65 Squadrons, Royal Air Force

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated 1945, and additionally inscribed ‘Flt. Lt. D.F.C.’; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France & Germany; Italy Star; War Medal, the last four all named in the Boots Chemist style (Flt. Lt., D.F.C.), together with named Buckingham Place letter, good very fine (5) £800-1000

D.F.C. London Gazette 17 August 1945. The following information is taken from the original recommendation: ‘This officer is now on his second tour of operations. On his first tour he destroyed at least two enemy aircraft and damaged others. Flight Lieutenant Minto has taken part in operations of the most hazardous nature involving many hours flying over the sea. He has always displayed the highest standard of leadership.’

Flight Lieutenant James C. Minto, from Roche near St Austell, was born at Quetta, India, in 1922. He enlisted in February 1941 and was commissioned in February 1942.

It is claimed that he is ‘credited with the destruction of two enemy aircraft with 145 Squadron (Spitfires) in the Mediterranean; an Me.110 on 26 November 1943 and an FW.190 on 2 March 1944. He was credited with a probable Macchi 202 on 29 February 1944 and had previously damaged 2 FW-190‘s over Europe whilst with 611 Squadron (Spitfires).’ In May 1945 he flew Mustangs with 65 ‘East Indies’ Squadron, and left that unit the following July. The lot is sold with his named Buckingham Palace award forwarding slip and some copied research.