Orders, Decorations and Medals

An exceptionally rare ‘Battle of Britain’ Air Defence Cadet Corps Gallantry Cross awarded to Cadet Sergeant Norman Davies, No. 4 (Ilford) Squadron, Air Defence Cadet Corps

Air Defence Cadet Corps Gallantry Cross, in silver and enamels, hallmarks for Birmingham 1939, 29mm, obverse with enamelled A.D.C.C. motif to centre, and inscribed ‘Air Defence Cadet Corps, For Gallantry’, reverse inscribed ‘Segt. Norman Davies, Sept. 1940’, with blue ribbon and top silver brooch bar as issued, together with Combined Operations cloth sleeve badge; three original photographs including recipient; Air Training Corps Gazette, for March 1941, including details of Davies’ award; and programme for the official opening of the A.D.C.C. Headquarters at Langford House, Cranbrook Road, Ilford, nearly extremely fine and one of only nine such medals ever awarded £600-800

Sergeant Norman Charles Davies served with No. 4 (Ilford) Squadron, Air Defence Cadet Corps. The following is extracted from The Air Training Corps Gazette, March 1941 ‘The Gallantry Medal of the Air Defence Cadet Corps has been awarded to the following cadets of Nos. 4 and 20 (Ilford) Squadrons: No. 351 C/Lance Corporal Geoffrey Saggers Wade; No. 381 Cadet Geoffrey E. Morris; C/Corporal Norman Charles Davies; C/Lance Corporal Frederick Arthur Edwards.

Incendiary bombs were dropped into the local Co-Operative Stores, setting the building on fire. The above named forced an entry, put sand on the bombs, and got the fire under control before the arrival of the fire brigade. Lance Corporal Wade and Cadet Morris were afterwards treated for cuts and burns. On the night of September 25th 1940, they were again on duty when high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped on a building in Coventry Road, Ilford. These lads entered the building, got the fire under control and removed several people, some injured and some dead. These lads have been complimented by the O.C. Home Guard and A.R.P. Services for their great courage and total disregard for their personal safety in face of great danger. The teamwork was splendid under the leadership of Corporal Davies who holds the First Aid Certificate of the St John Ambulance Brigade.’

Sold with a quantity of copied research and photographs.