World War II

World War II, the groups of medals to two brothers, both killed in action, mounted in separate frames: Captain Douglas Cotton Minchin: 1939-45 and Italy stars; Defence and War medals; Christopher Humphrey Cotton Minchin: 1939-45 and Air Crew Europe stars; Defence and War Medals. Extremely fine.

Captain Douglas Cotton Minchin (6 May 1918 - 15-16 March 1945), served in the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) having first been appointed a pilot officer in the RAF. He was attached to No.12 Commando, then Chief Instructor at the CBTC at Achnacarry. He was killed in action shortly after being attached to 43 Royal Marines Commandos on the 15 March 1945 on a night patrol to ambush a German mine laying party just prior to Operation Roast at Lake Commachio. His body was never found and remembered with honour at the Cassino Memorial. His status of having been attached at some time to all three services is believed to be unique.

Pilot Officer Christopher Humphrey Cotton Minchin, 12 Squadron, RAFVR (30 July, 1920 - 30-31 March, 1944), was 2nd Pilot in Lancaster ND562 taking part in the great raid on Nuremberg and, flying from RAF Wickenby, was shot down near Holzeim, killing all his crew. It was to be the raid with the greatest losses to Bomber Command with 545 airmen killed. Cotton Minchin is buried in the War Cemetery at Rheinberg, both brothers are named on the War Memorial at Buckland in Surrey.

O.B.E., attributed to Major James Humphrey Cotton Minchin (1894-1966), their father, in case of issue, mint state. Sold with framed photograph of their father, Major James Humphrey Cotton Minchin (1894-1966), in uniform and wearing silver-mounted leather shoulder belt of the Scottish Rifles; silver-mounted leather shoulder belt of the Scottish Rifles, as in photograph; silver cigarette box 'Captain J H C Minchin from the Officers Eastern Group Command, Royal Flying Corps, 17th May 1917"; silver-plated cigarette box, RFC wings on lid; RFC cloth wings and half-wing (separate frames); Princess Mary's Christmas tin (with tobacco intact); Douglas Cotton Minchin's green beret; and letters relating to the medals.