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260 GBP
0 Bid(s)
1
20 GBP
GBP
40 - 60 GBP
Live auction
Lot closed
Lot location
Stowmarket, Suffolk

Three Second World War Diaries belonging to a Royal Air Force casualty, the details of the owner are a little vague giving only name and rank but by cross referencing entries in the diaries with 'Commonwealth War Graves Commission' and marriage records we were able to ascertain that they belonged to Pilot Officer Eric Moore, of 59 Squadron, the diaries cover 14th - 29th January 1940, 5th December -  16th December 1940, and 3rd January - 30th January 1941, there must have been other diaries written by Eric Moore but these three give a fascinating insight into the feelings of an RAF Bomber crew member in the dark days after Dunkirk, the hand written detailed daily entries reveal his fears, hopes and aspirations for the future, obvious dedication to his wife, and reflections on how the war will develop, there are entries on raids on French ports (a long way from the 1000 bomber raids of the later years) detailing the routes out and back, anti aircraft fire and results, not always positive, relief at raids being cancelled, and frustration when, due to weather conditions, they can't make any at all, aircraft accidents, and deaths of friends and colleagues, he details his thoughts and regrets on the prospect of his own death in action, he describes everyday life in between operations, lectures, training, drinks in the mess, some riotous!, he mentions many other air crew by name and his interactions with them, critical of some, periods of leave with Elsie, his wife, visits to the local town, Emsworth, from R.A.F. Thorney Island where he was based, he is clearly very enthusiastic about cars and describes in detail his own experience buying and, unfortunately, repairing his own, the third diary, covering January, is where he is at his most reflective, possibly because the weather is so bad he is able to take part in only one raid,  the reading of the diaries is a poignant experience because 79752 Pilot Officer Eric Moore, Observer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was Killed in Action on the 22nd March 1941 with P/O Date (pilot) and Sgt. Watkins (Air Gunner), when his Bleheim IV Bomber aircraft, T2433, squadron code TR-X, was shot down off Katwijk by a Me109 Fighter of JG1 flown by Oberleutnant Paul Stolte, the beginning of each of the three diary's states that it should be given to his wife Elsie, gives the address where his last Will and Testament is held and that 'In it I leave everything that I possess to my wife', photos of Eric Moore can be seen on the number 59 Squadron website which also mentions his relationship with other aircrew which is detailed in the diaries, some entries are detailed below to give an indication of contents. Monday 14th October 1940: '..again detailed for L'Orient this evening, I don't feel half so jittery now when I hear such news, I think we had the worst we're likely to get on our last show..', 17/10/40: raid on Brest, describes take off, flight to target, weather condition, FLAK and bomb run, '..then, after a few seconds I let the two incendiaries off too. I was relieved to get rid of them and anxious to get out to sea..' , debrief in ops room, describes attack on 'enemy' destroyers earlier in the day by aircraft operating out of St Eval, '..the lads came back and found they had been attacking the British Navy!..', 20/10/40:description of drunken antics in Mess, '..throwing glasses, ash trays etc at the inoffensive wireless set at the end of the room..heaving arm chairs and tables in the centre of the room and executing a war dance around the pile with lamp shades on their heads..', 22/10/40: description of raid on L'Orient, '..sensation of impending disaster..' armourer hadn't plugged in the 'Mickey Mouse' (bomb release button) so bombs not released!, 24/10/40: '..also that the Coastal Command has done so well in smashing the invasion threat that we are to get ten days leave every 40 days in future..', 26/10/40: on standby for raid on Brest, Ops room for briefing, one aircraft has to drop out so required to take place, '..when Mac called through, 'I am landing, the air speed indicator is not registering, I gave a cheer and went and sat beside him for landing..', 27/10/40 raid on L'Orient, '..we came in at 4,500 feet for our attack. Running South over the town I caught a glimpse of the river which I recognised, had Mac turn 180 degrees and picking up a series of long roofs let go my stick of bombs. Beams promptly picked us up and evasive tactics prevented us seeing the results of our bombs..Mac twisted and turned making his manoeuvres more violent..he over shot the angle and and looking through the cabin roof I saw the searchlights pointed up at us, we were upside down!..I shall never understand how we failed to get hit..', 29/10/40: description of new bomb designed to set alight oil which had flowed onto water from tanks burst by Bomber Command, very crude and amateurish, deployed by hand!, 5/12/40 continued description of raid on L'Orient, disagreement with pilot over prospective factory targets, '..Mac replies 'We are sent to bomb L'Orient not a French factory making tits for babies milk bottles' quoth he..', thoughts on being killed in action, on return discovers that the 'Mickey Mouse' was unconnected to the circuit (again) so bombs still on board!, '..attended funeral of Heinman who crashed last Sunday morning..' description of funeral and grief of relatives, description of Dining in night in Officers Mess, 7/12/40: depression at thought of another week of flights, missing Elsie, description of aircraft from 53 Sqn crashing into trees on landing in poor weather, pilot, Weatherby, and Observer killed, 8/12/40: told by Flight Commander Ropy Palmer he is flying with him on raid as he is testing the Observers, Moore concerned he is under specific observation (correct), description of raid on L'Orient, gunner reports guns jammed and belly gun firing only single shots and front gun not working!, requests change of pilot and finds out he had already been complained about hence the 'test' by Palmer who declares his confidence in Moore, promises to see what he can do, 12/12/40: description of raid on Brest, heavy Flak, HMS Queen Elizabeth with destroyer screen leaves Portsmouth, no radio contact only signal lights to avoid discovery by enemy, 16/12/40: photo recce mission with Wing Commander to German aerodrome on Guernsey, spot two Dornier 18 Flying boats and a convoy of 5 ships, 4/1/41: '..a day full of tension and excitement..', description of scene at Thorney Island as Blenheims from 53 & 59 Squadrons are detailed to bomb a Hipper Class cruiser  (actually the Hipper herself) in a raid on Brest, Moore not detailed as on standby but describes excitement, apprehension, and in some, depression, at having to attack in daylight, describes damage to one of returned aircraft '..completely riddled yet none of the crew touched!..', 5/4/41: description of aircraft from 'A' and 'B' Flights 59 Sqn sent on another daylight raid on Brest, as given by colleagues, 10/12/40: description of loss of aircraft and crew when their TR91 radio packed up and they couldn't receive bearings to get back from a raid, believed to have crashed into Atlantic, '..another crew joined the limbo of those whose bones strew the floor of the sea bottom around these shores..', 16/1/41: 24 hrs leave with Elsie, '..hopes for our Junior were unfounded this time..have decided to wait until May before trying again. By that time the invasion attempt should be made &, I hope, frustrated. In effect, the war should be well on the way to victory for us by mid summer..', 17/1/41: description of attack on a German convoy by 6 aircraft of 59 Sqn, McCurdy's aircraft hit by a shell, '..he was damned lucky to get away with it..', 19/1/41: fed up with continuous grounding due to wet weather, criticism of some for 'wrong spirit', 21/1/40: walks into Emsworth and discovers church down side road, goes in and sits alone, very reflective, very sombre

Military and Medals - 19th November 2021
Live
Venue address
19 Charles Ind. Estate
Stowmarket, Suffolk
IP14 5AH
United Kingdom
Military and Medals - 19th November 2021

Military and Medals - 19th November 2021

Auction dates
19 Nov 2021 10:00 GMT
Viewing dates
17 Nov 2021 09:30 - 16:00 GMT
18 Nov 2021 09:30 - 16:00 GMT
Auction currency
GBP
Accepted cards

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Barclays

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Barclays

Account number 03598675

Sort code 20-26-34

IBAN no GB44BUKB20263403598675

BIC code BUKBGB22

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However, in so far as we have examined the goods and make a representation about their condition, we shall be liable for any defect which that examination ought to have revealed to the auctioneer but which would not have been revealed to the buyer had the buyer examined the goods. Additionally, in specified circumstances, lots misdescribed because they are ‘deliberate forgeries’ may be returned and repayment made. There is a 2 week time limit. (The expression ‘deliberate forgery’ is defined in our Conditions of Sale).


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Electrical Goods
These are sold as ‘antiques’ only and if bought for use must be checked over for compliance with safety regulations by a qualified electrician first.


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Bishop & Miller Auctioneers offers an online bidding service via the-saleroom.com for bidders who cannot attend the sale. In completing the bidder registration on www.the-saleroom.com and providing your credit card details and unless alternative arrangements are agreed with Bishop & Miller Auctioneers you:
(a) authorise Bishop & Miller Auctioneers, if they so wish, to charge the credit card given in part or full payment, including all fees, for items successfully purchased in the auction via the-saleroom.com, and
(b) confirm that you are authorised to provide these credit card details to Bishop & Miller Auctioneers through www.the-saleroom.com and agree that Bishop & Miller Auctioneers are entitled to ship the goods to the card holder name and card holder address provided in fulfilment of the sale.
Please note that any lots purchased via the-saleroom.com live auction service will be subject to an additional 4.95% commission charge + VAT at the rate imposed on the hammer price

IMPORTANT NOTICES


Removal of lots
ALL lots are to be removed from the premises by 5.00pm at the latest on the Friday following each sale. Bishop & Miller Auctioneers retain the right to remove lots remaining after this time into safe storage, for which a charge will be made.
Electrical Goods
All electrical goods offered in this sale have either been tested and certified by an appropriately qualified electrician or have been operationally disabled. We would strongly advise that any intended re-commissioning is undertaken by an appropriately qualified electrician.
Post 1950 Furniture
All items of furniture included in this sale are offered for sale as works of art. The items may not comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) Safety Regulations 1988 and for this reason, they should not be used in a private dwelling.

Furniture made of Brazilian Rosewood (Dalbergia Negra)

To comply with CITES Regulations on post-1947 furniture made of Brazilian Rosewood, all post-war Rosewood furniture items have article 10 certificates.

 

If you are purchasing Rosewood furniture for commercial purposes and not solely for your own use, CITES regulations require you to obtain your own certificate. You would need to contact the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) and, as part of the process of obtaining your document, it is a requirement that you have seen sight of the Bishop & Miller certificate or are aware of its reference number. It is therefore the responsibility of commercial buyers to ensure that they obtain a copy of the appropriate certificate, or the certificate reference number, after purchase from Bishop & Miller Auctioneers.

Please note that any lots purchased via the-saleroom.com live auction service will be subject to an additional 4.95% commission charge + VAT at the rate imposed on the hammer price.

 

Collection of sold lots will be available by appointment only.