Orders, Decorations and Medals

The unique group of eight miniature dress medals attributed to Squadron Leader Charlton ‘Wag’ Haw, Royal Air Force, a Battle of Britain pilot and the top scoring fighter pilot of the Hurricane Wing in Soviet Russia

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse of lower arm marked ‘Sterling’; Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R.; 1939-45 Star, with Battle of Britain bar; Air Crew Europe Star, with Atlantic bar; Defence and War Medal; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R.; Russia, Orderof Lenin, silver-gilt and enamel, mounted court style as worn; together with, three letters written and signed by the recipient in the 1970’s relating to his war service; copied photographs of recipient and his colleagues and various research including a copy of a memo marked ‘Secret’ detailing the various privileges granted by the Soviet authorities to holders of the Order of Lenin, i.e. ‘Not required to que for theatre tickets’, nearly extremely fine £500-600

Squadron Leader Charlton ‘Wag’ Haw, D.F.C., D.F.M. was born in 1920 and joined the R.A.F.V.R. in 1938. Posted to 504 Squadron as a Sergeant in the Battle of Britain, he claimed an enemy aircraft on 27 September 1940. Next posted to 81 Squadron, he was seconded for duty with 151 Wing in Russia claiming three enemy aircraft while operating in the unit’s Hurricanes. He was subsequently awarded the D.F.M. London Gazette 23 January 1942 and Order of Lenin London Gazette 31 March 1942. The latter award being one of only four such medals granted to members of the British Armed Forces during the whole of the Second World War. Haw returned home late in 1941 was commissioned and saw service with 504 and 122 Squadron’s, prior to being appointed Commanding Officer of 129 Squadron and he was awarded the D.F.C. London Gazette 17 October 1944. He retired as a Squadron Leader in 1948.

Haws full size awards were sold by Spink in March 1995.