Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: attributed to Pilot Officer K. J. Coates, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, killed in action when serving with No. 487 Squadron on 4 December 1943

1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, all unnamed, nearly extremely fine (lot) £220-260

Pilot Officer Kenneth John Coates, R.A.F.V.R., flying mosquito’s with No. 487 Squadron, was killed in action on 4 December 1943, aged 20 years. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. He was the son of Frederick Josiah and Edith May Coates, of Pelsall, Staffordshire.

His aircraft was ‘last seen in a skidding dive off the Dutch coast’.

With condolence slip named to ‘Pilot Officer K. J. Coates’; Air Ministry letter, dated 14 April 1944, to ‘F. J. Coates, Esq, 52 Old Town Lane, Pelsall, Staffs.’, reporting that there was little hope of him still being alive; another letter, dated 14 August 1945, to ‘Miss J. Coates, 52 Old Town Lane, Pelsall, Nr. Walsall, Staffs.’, reporting that he must be assumed to have died in action; Buckingham Palace slip expressing sympathy named to ‘F. J. Coates, Esq.’, with envelope; Runnymede Memorial booklet; Runnymede Memorial unveiling ceremony programme; obituary in the Walsall Presbyterian Church News Letter. a group photograph and two copied photographs of the recipient and other copied research. With R.A.F. cloth badge; enamelled sweetheart brooch supporting a photograph of the recipient.