Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family group:

A ‘Battle of Britain’ casualty group of three awarded to Sergeant Pilot E. E. Lockton, 236 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, a Blenheim pilot who was shot down and killed by a Me. 109 off Cherboug, 20 July 1940
1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Under-Secretary of State for Air enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mrs. A. Lockton, 191, North Parade, Sleaford, Lincs’, lid of box additionally inscribed ‘Eric’s Medals’, good very fine

Four: R. N. Lockton, who served as a Wireless Operator with the Royal Air Force
1939-45 Star; Pacific Star, clasp, Burma; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with Under-Secretary of State for Air enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mr. R. N. Lockton Esq, 191, North Parade, Sleaford, Lincs’, nearly extremely fine (7) £300-400

Eric Edward Lockton was the son of Frederick and Anne Lockton. He was born in January 1918, and educated at Spittlegate Boys School and The King’s School, Grantham. Lockton was employed as a bank clerk in the Grantham and Bourne branches of the Midland Bank. He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in January 1937, and was the sixth man to join as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Lockton was mobilised 1 September 1939. He was posted as a Sergeant Pilot for operational flying to 236 Squadron (Blenheims), Middle Wallop, 3 July 1940. The following day the Squadron moved to Thorney Island and was assigned from Fighter Command to Coastal Command. They were engaged on defensive patrols over shipping in the English Channel during the early stages of the Battle of Britain.

On 20 July 1940 Lockton was the ‘Pilot of Blenheim I, L 1300 FA-A. Took off at 1745 from Thorney Island on escort duties. Shot down by Me 109s and seen to spin into the sea at 18.20hrs off Cherbourg.’ (Coastal Command Losses refers).

The Bleinheim was shot down by Hauptmann Neumann of JG 27, and both Lockton and his gunner (Sergeant H. Corcoran) were reported ‘Missing’ later confirmed killed in action. Lockton was ‘home on leave three weeks ago, and came over to Bourne where he had the opportunity of seeing a number of his friends. During a conversation he told one of his acquaintances that his squadron had not lost a man. A fortnight later came the tragic news...’ (copied newspaper article included in lot refers)

Sergeant Lockton is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Richard N. Lockton was the brother of Eric Lockton. He served during the Second War as a Wireless Operator with the Royal Air Force.

Sold with a letter from the Records Office addressed to ‘Mr. Richard N. Lockton, C/O “Linburn”, North Parade, Grantham, Lincs’, one assumes erroneously, informing him of his award of a ‘clasp to Burma Star’, dated 26 October 1948; and copied research.