Battle of Britain Hurricane Pilot's Medals and Ephemera - 3rd November 2026 Auction!

Battle of Britain Hurricane Pilot's Medals and Ephemera Coming up in our 3rd November 2026 Auction!

A Battle of Britain Hurricane pilot's medals and ephemera attributed to Sgt/Flt Lieut Cyril Joseph Saward R.A.F.V.R. will be going under the hammer in our 3^rd November 2026 specialist medal auction. This interesting and historic group includes a rare Battle of Britain clasp and a Caterpillar club badge engraved on reverse.

Full Description below:

Battle of Britain Hurricane pilot's medals and ephemera attributed to Sgt/Flt Lieut Cyril Joseph Saward R.A.F.V.R. with 1939-1945 Star with Battle of Britain clasp, Defence Medal and War Medal with Air Council transmittal slip. Caterpillar Club badge in gold with ruby eyes, reverse engraved Sgt C. Saward Pres by Irvin Co, in a ring box with paper label fitted which reads "To My Dear Wife, the sweetest person I know xCyrilx". With 9ct gold (XRF tested) Durable propelling pencil, the end engraved with interlocked initials CJS, in box of issue, a Swiss made wrist watch, RAF Service & Release Book, Battle of Britain Fighter Association Life Membership card, Xmas card from No 37 F.T.S. Calgary signed Cyril, RAF embroidered officer's cap badge, 1941 telegram from Canada, 3 named RAF Note Books with details on Armament, navigation etc, chromium plated cigarette case with interlocked initials CJS engraved to front, old cigarette lighter, some original paperwork to include RAFVR Attestation papers, a 1945 letter of thanks, 1940 ATS Navigation Log Form No 441 etcoriginal photo in uniform with bride on wedding day, reverse dated 1944, also 2 other framed possibly reproduced photos.

Cyril Joseph Saward was born on 17th August 1918 and joined the RAFVR in Coventry in June 1939. He was already engaged in the motor industry and had worked for Saward & Martin, English Electric and Humber as a junior draughtsman. Saward began his flying training at 9 E&RFTS Ansty. Called up at the outbreak of war, he went to 3 ITW Hastings in September, moved to 6 EFTS Sywell in October and then to 8 FTS Montrose for No. 18 Course (below), which ran from 9th April to 26th July 1940.

Saward joined 615 Squadron at Kenley on 30th July and was attached to 6 OTU Sutton Bridge on 3rd August to convert to Hurricanes. On the 21st he crashed on the aerodrome in a Hurricane, due to a burst glycol tank, unhurt. He rejoined 615 Squadron on 24th August. He moved to 501 Squadron at Gravesend on 9th September. He was shot down by Me109s in combat over Tonbridge on the 18th and baled out, unhurt. His Hurricane, V6600, crashed between Overbridge Farm and Clapper Lane, Staplehurst.

Saward made his last sortie with 501 on 30th September, an engagement with Me109s.

In November 1940 Saward was posted to 4 Ferry Pilot Pool Kemble. He went to 2 CFS Cranwell in May 1941 for an instructors course, after which he became an instructor on Oxfords at 6 FTS Little Rissington. Saward was posted to Canada in January 1942. He instructed at 39 SFTS Swift Current until September 1942, was commissioned Pilot Officer 19th October 1942 and instructed at 37 SFTS Calgary until March 1944, when he returned to the UK. Promoted Flying Officer 19th April 1943 and Flight Lieutenant 19th October 1944.

Saward joined 577 Squadron at Wrexham in April 1944, flying Hurricanes on army co-operation duties. He did a blind-flying course at CFS Montrose from November 1944 and then instructed at 20 (P)AFU Wheaton Aston from February to September 1945. Saward's final posting was to RAF Perton, as OC Flying. He was released from the RAF in March 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant. He had married Maude Morris in Coventry in June 1944.

His flying hours totalled 2900, of which 1200 were at night, this on 27 types of aircraft.

He returned to the motor car industry and worked for Daimler, Humber, British Leyland, Standard and Triumph as a designer. From 1957 to 1971 he was Project Engineer at Dunlop Ltd. working on pneumatic suspension. 1971 to 1978 was spent at the Triumph Motor Company at Coventry specialising in gearboxes for smaller vehicles. He became Principal Engineer with Jaguar Cars in 1978 before retiring in 1983.

Cyril Saward died in June 1988 in Kenilworth, Warwickshire.

Offered on behalf of the family, never before on the market.

Estimate £4,000 to £5,000

If you are interested in bidding on this lot or you are looking to sell your medal or militaria collection please feel free to contact us by email info@griffinsauctions.co.uk or call 01926 505 012 and speak to one of our valuers.