Unknown hero of the night sky took 'desk job' at Barclays Bank

 

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) & Bar group of medals for sale to F/Lt. Charles Phillip Reed.

1.  DFC dated 1943, complete with ribbon and additional Bar
2. 1939-45 Star
3. Air Crew Europe with France & Germany Bar
4. Defence Medal
5. 1939-45 Medal. Mounted for wear.

The medals for sale with Reed's DFC medal case and comprehensive 'personality paperwork:' 

photograph of 85 Squadron, [including Reed], in full flying outfits.

photograph of Reed accepting his DFC from King George V. Small cut-out photo.

newspaper photograph showing Reed and others looking at the wreckage of a plane.

formal invitation from the Central Chancery of The Orders of Knighthood [dated 1943], requesting Reed's to attend the investiture  at Buckingham Palace, London.

Ministry of Defence document [dated 1970], on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, extending a 'thank you' for valuable services to the RAF.

document from The Royal Air Force Museum [dated 1984], thanking Mrs Reed for donating her husband's RAF log books. various other copied documentation.

Condition report: The medals in clean condition, free from any adverse wear. The ribbons clean. Mounted to a metal back plate with typical hinged-pin assembly.

Further information on Reed: Flight Lieutenant Charles Phillip Reed joined 85. Squadron and completed a large number of hours on night operations. As the navigator in Mosquitos, by 1944 Reed was credited with  11 'kills.'

Flight Lieutenant Charles Phillip Reed was awarded the DFC in 1943. He received the Bar to the DFC in 1944, while serving with 488. Squadron.

'some of the navigators had developed a patter that I could only describe as most extraordinary…. like the chanting of a Dutch auctioneer….. left left-still left-three thousand-steady-steadydive', 'It was not until I heard the retiring Navigator Leader in action that I discovered where it had all come from. He was a lively, vivacious man named C.P. Reed…. sharp featured and quick witted, and a remarkably fast thinker.' 

Additional notes: Reed's log-books are housed at The Royal Air Force Museum [accession numbers, B2414, and B2415].

Gazette for DFC: Gazetted for DFC 16th February 1943, supplement 19th February Acting Flight Lieutenant Charles Phillip REED (104432), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 85 Squadron.

 

'As observer this officer has completed a large number of hours flying

on night operations. He has displayed great skill and keenness and participated

in the destruction of 2 enemy aircraft and the damaging of 3 others.'

Gazette for DFC Bar: Gazetted for bar 6th June 1944, supplement 9th June Flight Lieutenant Charles Phillip REED, D.F.C. (104432), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 488 (N.Z.) Squadron.

This officer is an observer of high merit and his example of courage and resource

has been most praise-worthy. He is a very valuable member of aircraft crew

and has assisted in the destruction of 11 enemy aircraft at night.