Five: Flying Officer C. J. Dibden, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was mortally wounded during the Second World War when his Spitfire crashed and burst into flames, 22 January 1944

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with named Air Council enclosure, in card box of issue addressed to ‘Mrs. P. F. Manson, Stroat Farm, Tidenham, Nr. Chepstow, Mon.’, extremely fine (5) £120-£160

Clifford John Dibden was born in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, on 23 February 1917, the son of Private Charles E. Dibden, Essex Regiment, who was killed in action in Palestine on 3 November 1917. A keen rugby player, he played in the centre for Gloucester Rugby Club, and joined the Gloucestershire Constabulary as a Police Constable on 6 March 1939.

Joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 8 September 1941, Dibden was commissioned Probationary Flying Officer on 9 July 1943, and was assigned to 92 Squadron, where he flew Spitfires. In January 1944 his Squadron was posted to Marcianise, near Naples in Italy, to provide cover for the 8th Army. On 22 January 1944 twelve Spitfires took off from Marcianise to support British and American troops who had landed 30 miles south of Rome. Dibden’s aircraft hit a tree at the airfield on take-off, crashed into the ground, and burst into flames: Dibden was severely injured and burnt, and succumbed to his injuries later that day. He is buried at Caserta War Cemetery, Italy. The 92 Squadron Records book mentions: ‘Dibden was a most popular pilot and will be sadly missed.’

Dibden’s medals were sent to his widow, Pearl Frances Dibden.

Sold with a photographic image of the recipient and copied research.