Lot 804
THE LOGBOOKS OF SPITFIRE PILOT J. F. STAPLES. An extensive collection of Log Books, Medals, documents, maps and other items all believed to be the property of Flight Officer Joseph F. Staples 131891. With a collection of R.A.F. cloth badges, buttons, maps, ephemera, photographs and other items. Log Books (Form 414): A Pilots Flying Log Book (Form 414) for Staples as a Sergeant with flights from 1 August 1941 to 10 June 1942. Flying in DH 82A Gipsy Major, Magister and Stearman accumulating 350 hrs 15 mins flying time. Flying from Blackpool, Leuchars, Winnipeg and other locations. A Pilots Flying Log Book (Form 414) for Staples as Flying Officer with flights from 12 June 1942 to 24 July 1944. Flying Cornell, Wellington X, Spitfire IX, XVI, Sea Hurricane, Meteors and others. Flying time at the end of this log 1718 hours. A Pilots Flying Log Book (Form 414) for Staples as Flight Lieutenant with flights from 12 September 1944 to 19 December 1945. Flying Hurricane Mk 1, Spitfire Mk V, IX, XVI, Meteor and others. Flying time totalling 1978 hours 25 minutes. Demobilized on January 16th 1946. A Flying Log Book (Form 1767) for Gliding. F/O J.F. Staples a fully qualified Primary Gliding Instructor from 23 April 12. Recording flights at 22 Gliding School, from 7 August 1950, Derby and Lancs Gliding Club, last entry 31 August 1951. It seems that Joseph Staples undertook his training on Spitfires in December 1944, his log book recording his first solo flight on December 9th in a Spitfire Mark V whilst at O.T.U. Eshott. Postings to 'X' Flight Gunnery, Boulmer. G.S.U. Lasham, and then 74 Squadron (2nd T.A.F.) 145 Wing from March 12th when regular action seems to have been encountered with 23 flights during March. The comments about the flights are relayed in a typically matter-of-fact fashion: Mar 18 'Some Heavy Flak'. 21 Mar 18 'Heavy Flak over target 3 Bombers shot down'. 24 Mar 'Keeping away German fighters whilst our glider borne troops landed'. 10 April 'Saw 2 Jets but too fast for us'. 20 April Bombing (German HQ) 'Target Completely annihilated'. 25 April 'Extremely "dicey" all kinds of flak - accurate and intense'. The record for 26 March records a flight in a Spitfire Mark XVI, A.55 - Northolt 'Escort to Churchill'. It was on this occasion that Churchill famously and symbolically crossed the Rhine. The crossing on the 26th seems to have been with a General Dempsey in a jeep over a pontoon bridge. The war was coming to an end and this was Churchill's last visit to a battlefield. The log book tells us on 4 May 'The war with Germany has ended as far as we are concerned'. By the middle of May he has moved to the 1335 Conversion Unit where he begins flying Meteor Jets. By August flights in Meteors include 'Display over "Queen Elizabeth" Southampton Water' for which a secret document is included, and Pageant over London. A flying career that began in De Havilland Tiger Moths ended in Meteor Jets with active service in Spitfire during the push into Europe after D.Day. With a First World War Pair named to 202814 SJT A.S.Staples S.Staff.R. Unmounted with ribbons. Arthur Saunders Staples served during the Great War from 1914 to 1920 with the 2/5th and 2nd South Staffordshire Regiment and is presumably a relation if not father of J.F. Staples. Also a group of four medals Second World War Medals comprising 1939-45 and France and Germany Stars, Defence Medal and War Medal, all unnamed as issued, mounted as worn. Unlikely to be J.F.Staples medals as they lack the Air Crew Europe Star. Following the war we are told that Joseph Staples became a teacher at Brymore school, Bridgewater.
