A Battle of Britain DFC group of six to Squadron Leader Emanuel Barnett 'Butcher' Lyons comprising 1945 D.F.C, 1939 star with Battle of Britain clasp, Air Crew Europe star with France & Germany clasp, Africa with Africa 1942-43 clasp, W.M. and Netherlands Flying Cross, sold together with his log book and photographs. Estimate:£10,000-15,000
Emanuel Barnett Lyons was born in London in 1918. While studying at Magdalene College, Cambridge in June 1939 he joined the RAFVR as an Airman u/t Pilot.
Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training at 22 EFTS and 5 FTS before joining 65 Squadron (Spitfires) at Turnhouse on 2nd September 1940.
In 1941 he moved to 222 'Natal' Squadron (Spitfires) at Manston. When 243 Squadron was reformed in June 1942 he joined it as a Flight Commander and took part in Algerian operations in support of the 1st Army. He took command of the Squadron in January to May 1945. It was then at Predannack having returned to England to convert to Tempests.
He took the Squadron to Holland in February and led it until being seriously wounded on 11th April 1945. His Tempest V SN165 ZD-V was hit by flak during an attack on Fassberg airfield. The canopy, armoured headrest and horizontal stabiliser were badly damaged and Lyons was wounded in the head. Despite this he was able to fly 200 miles back to his base.
Awarded the DFC (gazetted 8th May 1945), Lyons was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant.
He was awarded the Netherlands Flying Cross (gazetted 21st April 1947) for gallantry, initiative and determination as commander of a squadron in which a number of Netherlands pilots were serving during March and April 1945. He died in 1992.
Log book entries include: "10.9.40. Dog Fight...14.9.40. Dog Fight...22.9.40. Dog Fight...1.10.40. Dog Fight...12.10.40. Dog Fight...12.12.40. Interception JU.88...25.2.41. Offensive Sweep...8.7.41. Top cover for three Stirlings to bomb Lille and return...20.7.41. Bomber escort 6 Blenheim to Le Touquet...15.1.43. Sweep Bizerta. Beat up on way home, ammo lorries & Staff Officer bite the dust...3.2.43. T.R.escort. Beat up on way home (Austin, Tylee & McAteer did not return)...11.4.45. Fassberg A/F Straff. Hit by Flak!!"
For Auction on 21st September 2016. Estimate: £10,000-15,000
For more details please contact Clifford Lansberry on 01273 472503 or email at Cliffordl@gorringes.co.uk
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