Dambusters leader Guy Gibson’s memorabilia collection to be auctioned for up to £10,000

An extensive private assortment of items honoring Wing Cdr Guy Gibson, who commanded the renowned Dambusters raid during World War Two, is scheduled for auction. This collection, previously exhibited at the RAF Scampton Heritage Centre in Lincolnshire, comprises 54 distinct lots, notably featuring a pair of cloth wings taken from Gibson’s uniform. Gildings Auctioneers in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, will host the auction on 7 January, where the items are projected to achieve a value of up to £10,000. Derrick Warren, a press photographer from Coventry who passed away in 2022 at the age of 81, assembled this collection. Among its notable items are a facsimile reproduction of Gibson’s logbook, bearing an autograph from Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris, who directed RAF Bomber Command during the conflict. Additionally, the collection contains a childhood letter addressed to “Dear Granny” and a signed photograph of a Lancaster bomber by Barnes Wallis, the engineer credited with designing the “bouncing bomb.” Mark Gilding, a director at Gildings Auctioneers, commented on the collection, stating: “It’s very rare to find items directly owned by Gibson such as the cloth wings, so this is an unmissable opportunity for collectors.” He further noted, “While Derrick was undoubtedly one of the most dedicated Dambusters aficionados out there, he was far from alone in his fascination. “As a result, we’re expecting a great deal of interest,” he added.” Wing Cdr Gibson led 617 Squadron, a unit of Lancaster bombers specifically established at RAF Scampton with the objective of targeting dams within Germany’s Ruhr Valley. This operation, officially named Operation Chastise, commenced on the evenings of 16 and 17 May 1943, employing bouncing bombs conceptualized by Barnes Wallis. During the mission, eight of the 19 participating bombers were downed, resulting in the deaths of 53 airmen. The Mohne and Eder dams were both breached. A significant number of those who perished were civilians. A cinematic production released in 1955 cemented the raid’s status as one of the most renowned events of World War Two. Gibson, who received the Victoria Cross for his involvement in the operation, died the subsequent year when his aircraft crashed while returning from a separate mission in Germany.