including pilot logbooks and other ephemera,

1. Distinguished Service Order, G VI R, silver-gilt and enamel dated ‘1944’,
2. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division,
3. Distinguished Flying Cross, G VI R, reverse officially dated ‘1942’,
4.1939-1945 Star,
5. The Atlantic Star,
6. The Africa Medal,
7. Defence Medal,
8. War Medal, with an oak leaf pin for mention in dispatches,

mounted in a modern frame, with an RAF cloth badge, framed,
overall 26 x 29cm
with a later cased ribbon with Bomber Command clasp,

together with three Pilot’s Flying log books,

1. January 3^rd 1939 – September 4^th 1953 Totalling 2573 hrs 45 mins
2. September 9^th 1953 – June 12^th 1962 Totalling 3627 hrs 50 mins
3. October 19^th 1963 – January 22^nd 1965

In the logs, some operational sorties are underlined in red. Over his career, he flew thirty different types of aircraft, including Avro 504N, Oxford, Anson, Blenheim, Wellington, Mosquito, Lancaster, Sutherland, and later Canberra, Valiant, and Dakotas.

together with his identity tags, a crown, and a shilling with a mascot of a lamb,

five albums,
from pre-war and post-war, on active service throughout the world,

1. 1936, Family, aeroplanes, including photographs of Mk1 Spitfire K9789, holidays, Cranwell, flying boats.
2. 1935 – 1958, Hill climb race, Canada, America, holidays and Cornwall, Handley Page, service photographs.
3. Scrapbook with telegrams, newspaper cuttings and photographs about decorations
4. Invergordon, 201 Squadron, Boscombe Down, No 109 Squadron, Tid’s Wedding, 162 Squadron Kab Shallufa, 1942, Parachute Course, GR Course Thorney Island, 1939, Flying Boat Course, Calshot, 1939, aircrew photographs.
5. 1948-1951 Greece, Turkey, Crete, Rhodes, Italy.

six mounted photographs,

with photos from his time at RAF Cranwell, including the Sixth Term photograph, July 1938, which includes Brian Kingcome, who became a flying ace in 92 Squadron during the Battle of Britain.

The Sword of Honour, was awarded to the future Air Vice-Marshall BP Young, a South African, in No 32 Squadron flying Hurricanes. Moving to France in 1939 as part of the Air Component he was shot and badly wounded in 1940 resulting in his hospitalisation through 1941 and into 1942. When recovered he was posted to fly Sunderlands in Coastal Command from Northern Ireland.

these include football and hockey team photographs, Willis was Captain of the hockey XI; and Prize Winners Royal Air Force College Cranwell, July, 1938,

and further ephemera (qty)

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross

‘Flight Lieutenant Charles Victor Douglas Willis (33354), No. 109 Squadron.

In November, 1941, this officer was the captain of a Wellington aircraft. During the flight his aircraft was attacked by three enemy fighters and, although the aircraft sustained damage, including the rear turret which was rendered unserviceable, one of the attackers was shot down and a second one damaged. Some days later, in the course of another flight, Flight Lieutenant Willis's aircraft was engaged by a Messerschmitt 110 but, by skilful tactics, the attacker was driven off with its rear gun out of action. This officer has carried out a large number of operational missions, many of which have been of great importance. Throughout he has displayed keenness, courage and efficiency.’

London Gazette, 20 January 1942

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Service Order

Acting Wing Commander Charles Victor Douglas Willis, D.F.C. (33354), Royal Air Force, No. 192 Squadron.

Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, this officer has completed a large number of sorties, many of them demanding skill of a high degree. His appreciation of the responsibilities entrusted to him, his ingenuity and his determination to complete his allotted task have contributed in a large measure to the success of the operations in which he has taken part. He is a fine leader, whose example of courage and devotion to duty has been worthy of the greatest praise.’

London Gazette, 31 March 1944

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