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POW’s Caterpillar Club Pin Is Feature Lot In May Medal Auction

POW’s Caterpillar Club Pin Is Feature Lot In May Medal Auction

Published: 1st May 2024
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Flight Lieutenant Gerald Wilton took part in the Battle of Berlin and spent more than a year in a German Prisoner of War camp. His medals are the star lot in our 8th-9th May sale of coins and militaria, but it's a tiny gold brooch belonging to this RAF Officer that is attracting attention from collectors.

Refugee RAF Officer's Story

Wilton was born Gerhard Wolkenstein in Vienna in 1924. He was the third son of Jewish businessman Bernhard Wolkenstein whose assets were seized by the Nazi State and who, with his family, fled their persecution and moved to London in 1938.

An apprentice tailor, Wilton was interned in 1940, along with other Italian, German and Austrian refugees. After his release, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force. Around this time, he started using the anglicised version of his name: 'Gerard Wilton'.

Wilton trained as a Wireless Operator and served with Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) squadrons that were integrated into the RAF's command structure during the Second World War.

Just before 7 pm on the evening of 24th March 1944, Wilton boarded a Handley Page Halifax Mk III Heavy Bomber and took off from RAF Leeming, destined for the skies above Berlin. This nighttime mission represented the last large British raid on the German capital as part of the Battle of Berlin.

Wilton's bomber and nearly 9% of the attacking force were lost in the raid. He was one of six of his crew to survive, parachuting from his Bomber over Germany and into captivity as a Prisoner of War. He was sent to Stalag Luft I, a POW camp for Allied airmen near Barth in northeastern Germany. Wilton was imprisoned alongside future actor Donald Pleasence and Great Escape planner Harry Day.

At the war’s end in 1945, Wilton was released from the camp and opted to remain in the RAF. He later served with the Equipment Branch, reaching the rank of Flight Lieutenant. Sadly, in 1949, aged just 25, Flight Lieutenant Wilton was killed in tragic circumstances, falling from a fourth-floor window of a Selfridges department store in London.

Wilton received the 1939-1945 Star, an Air Crew Europe Star, and a 1939-1945 War Medal for his wartime service. He was also awarded a tiny gold-coloured pin issued by a club that few airmen want to join.

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Gerald Wilton's medals were delivered to his brother's address and have never been worn.

What Is The Caterpillar Club?

Members of the Caterpillar Club have successfully used a parachute to escape a disabled aircraft, thereby saving their own lives.

The Club was founded in 1922 and is open to airmen from all nations. Members receive a certificate and a gold-coloured commemorative pin once their jump has been verified. The pin is to be worn on the collar and is engraved with the recipient's name on the back.

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The back of Gerald Wilton's Caterpillar Club pin is engraved with his name.

The Caterpillar Club's name refers to the silk used to make early parachutes. Silk fibres are produced by the caterpillars or larvae of the domestic silk moth. The motto of the Club is 'life depends on a silken thread'.

Famous members of the Caterpillar Club include aviator Charles Lindberg and astronaut John Glenn.

What Are Caterpillar Club Brooches Worth?

Wilton's medals and Caterpillar Club pin will go under the hammer as lot 877 on the second day of our coin and medal sale.

Speaking about Wilton's achievements RWB Auctions' Head Auctioneer, Gareth Wasp, said:

Flight Lieutenant Wilton overcame many challenges, and it was incredibly sad to find that his life was cut short so early. His medals and Caterpillar Club pin are the clues to a fascinating story, one of many our researchers have uncovered while putting together our May specialist sale. We are honoured to share this piece of RAF history with collectors next month.

Wilton's medals and Caterpillar Club badge are estimated to sell for £800 to £1,000. Similar medal sets with these special pins have achieved even higher prices at auction.

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Wilton's Caterpillar Club badge is to be sold with his medals and the box they were posted in.

Sell Military Medals With RWB Auctions

The team in our Coins and Medals Departments are already preparing for our next numismatic sale, scheduled for 25 September.

Consignments of military medals, militaria, collectable coins and metal detecting finds are welcomed. Sellers can enjoy our market-leading 10% premium and low £10 lotting fee. Those consigning coins and medals valued at £500 or more benefit from 0% fees, exclusive to our quarterly coin and medal sales.

Contact coins@rwbauctions.com today for more information.

Caterpillar Club Medals In The Press

Medals of heroic RAF officer expected to reach £1k at auction (Jewish News, 3 May 2024)

Rare war medals up for sale at RWB Auctions in Royal Wootton Bassett (Gazette & Herald, 7 May 2024)

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