A COLLECTION of medals awarded to a Second World War pilot are set to go under the hammer at auction.

These medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross – which is only awarded for acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying against the enemy – were presented to Flight Lieutenant Arthur Slinn.

Flt Lt Slinn flew between 1942-45 before moving to Sherborne and becoming a sales manager after the war.

He died in 1992, and the medals are set for auction at Charterhouse, Sherborne, next month.

Charterhouse auctioneer Richard Bromell said: "The market for medals remains strong.

"The medals come to auction from his late wife’s estate and as there are sadly no living relatives the executors instructed us to sell them.”

They comprise a Distinguished Flying Cross, a 1939-45 Star, a France & Germany Star and a War Medal.

In addition, there is his pilot’s flying log book, various letters, documents, notes and photographs.

During the war, Ft Lt Slinn flew a wide range of aircraft, including Wellington and Halifax bombers.

His pilot’s flight log book records him flying from 1942 through to 1945 where he flew for a total of over 800 hours.

Mr Bromell said: "He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1945. This cross was awarded to officers and warrant officers of the RAF in respect of valour while flying in active operations against the enemy."

Arthur was born in 1922 at St Helens in Lancashire.

The medals, pilot’s flight log book, documents and notes are all estimated to sell for £1,000-1,500 when they go under the Charterhouse hammer in their collector’s auction on September 19/20.

Charterhouse is accepting further entries for their auction programme with models, coins, medals, stamps, toys and other collector’s items on September 19/20 and also for their classic and vintage car auction on September 11.