World War One fighter ace's logbook found in a wardrobe goes on sale

World War One pilot's log book found in a wardrobe has gone up for auction

Air Vice Marshal John Denis Breakey's 'nationally important' log book detailing aerial battles in World War One is set to go up for auction

A fighterpilot ace's 'nationally important' log book detailing aerial battles in World War One is set to go up for auction and reveals a previously unrecorded victory.

The wartime memorabilia belonged to Air Vice Marshal John Denis Breakey - a Yorkshireman who became a legendary pilot - and was found in the wardrobe by auctioneers.

The log book, which was lost and forgotten in the 1970s, could fetch up to £1,000 when it goes under the hammer.

But it could fetch far more due to the importance of Sheffield-born Breakey and the fact that the book sheds new light on World War One history.

Breaky notched up nine aerial victories, four of which are in the log book which covers actions from July 26, 1917 through to August 19, 1918.

But another one is mentioned which has taken Hansons' militaria expert Adrian Stevenson by surprise.

He said: 'Interestingly, the volume suggests a previously unrecorded victory on June 28, 1918 while flying the legendary Sopwith Camel (B.R.1).

'At the time, this would have been Breakey's fifth victory.'

The log book, which was lost and forgotten in the 1970s before it was found in a wardrobe in a building in Kensington, could fetch up to £1,000 when it goes under the hammer

The seller, an 80-year-old retired model maker from Kent, said: 'I was given the log book by a late friend in 1975.

'He came across it in a wardrobe in an empty Kensington property which he was surveying ahead of development. The building no longer exists.

'My friend was intrigued and gave it to me to see if I could find out more about Breakey. I have done lots of research over the years. It's been fascinating. He was so highly decorated.

Breaky notched up nine aerial victories, four of which are in the log book which covers actions from July 26, 1917 through to August 19, 1918

The seller, an 80-year-old retired model maker from Kent, said: 'I was given the log book by a late friend in 1975'

'I have no-one in the family who wants the log book so, rather than it end up at a tip when I pass away, I am selling in the hope it will be preserved by a keen war memorabilia collector or even a museum.'

Mr Stevenson said: 'Log books are always sought after by militaria collectors and it's seldom one of this quality, belonging to an ace comes onto the open market.

'Breakey was highly decorated. He was awarded a Companion of the Order of the Bath, Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar and enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the RAF. That makes this item of outstanding collector interest and of national importance.'

He began his WW1 military career in the Royal Naval Air Service which merged into the Royal Air Force. He served throughout the interwar period and into the Second World War.

John Denis Breakey flew a Sopwith Camel. Armed with twin synchronized machine guns, the aircraft would take him through his airborne career and safely out of the war.

Hansons militaria expert Adrian Stevenson said: 'Interestingly, the volume suggests a previously unrecorded victory on June 28, 1918 while flying the legendary Sopwith Camel (B.R.1)'

In 1919 he supported the White Army against the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War and received a Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts. He continually rose through the ranks and was promoted to air vice-marshal in 1947.

In 1951 he was appointed Head of Air Force Staff at the British Joint Services Mission at Washington, DC. He retired from the RAF in 1954 and died in 1965 aged 65.

Chris Kirkham, associate director of Hansons London, said: 'We feel privileged to sell such an important piece of wartime memorabilia and certainly hope it flies to victory at auction.'

The flying log book is due to be sold by Hansons London on August 29.