24/03/2026
Attention Philatelists!
The excellent collection of Dambusters covers and stamps in our next antique sale are a reminder of the incredible heroics of the men represented in these covers. Men such as William 'Bill' Reid VC, who did his training at Newquay.
Reid received the Victoria Cross for extraordinary bravery on a bombing mission to Dusseldorf in 1943, during which his Lancaster received a direct hit from a Messerschmitt 110 Night Fighter, damaging his windscreen and rear turret.
Despite injuries to his head, shoulder and hand, severe blood loss, and major damage to the aircraft, he continued towards the target.
A further German attack raked his Lancaster, killing his Navigator and Wireless Operator. Reid and the crew received further injuries, and a section of the tailplane was shot away, but he continued his mission. He had memorised the course to Dusseldorf and with no means to communicate with the bomb aimer, he was still able to drop his bombs on target.
Without a compass, he realised that turning back could have led to a collision with the rest of the bomber stream, and without a Navigator he set a course for RAF Syerston using the pole star and the moon. With the windscreen shattered, intense cold, blood loss and a shortage of oxygen, Reid began to lose consciousness. With help from the remaining crew, he avoided further flak off the Dutch coast, crossed the North Sea, and sighted the searchlights of RAF Shipdham in Norfolk.
Reid was still bleeding but recovered enough to land the plane, despite losing part of his undercarriage on the runway. In this incredible feat of flying, he had saved the lives of 5 members of his crew.
He received the Victoria Cross.
Reid's signature features amongst the covers included in lot 237 along with those of 21 other heroes from WWII. There are six further lots of autographed Dambusters covers in the sale.
📣 if you have similar items to this, don't hesitate to get in touch and book a valuation day with our collectors specialist. Next valuation day: 15 April, 10am - 3pm.
Antiques & 20th Century Interiors
26-27 March | Penzance & live online
