In a poignant reminder of the daring and danger faced by airmen during World War Two, a tiny Caterpillar Club pin has come to auction, highlighting the incredible story of a British bomber pilot who was saved by a parachute. The pin is a miniature golden caterpillar with red eyes, a symbol of an exclusive and unofficial club for those whose lives were saved by a parachute manufactured by the Irvin company. This particular pin, along with a collection of other service medals, belonged to Flight Sergeant Bernard John Warren, a rear gunner in the Royal Air Force's Bomber Command. The auction of these medals is not just a sale of military artifacts; it is the telling of a remarkable tale of survival, as the pin serves as a tangible link to a moment when Warren's life depended on a "silken thread."
The pin was awarded to Warren after his Lancaster bomber was hit by anti aircraft fire, or 'flak', over Germany in April of 1944. The aircraft, ME741, was on its eighth mission, a bombing raid over Düsseldorf. After being struck, the crew was forced to bail out over enemy territory. Warren was one of the survivors of the crash, and his successful descent using a parachute secured his entry into the exclusive Caterpillar Club. However, his ordeal was far from over. He was subsequently captured and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war (POW) in a German camp, Stalag 357, near the town of Kopernikus. The pin therefore represents both a moment of incredible luck and the beginning of a long period of captivity.
The significance of the Caterpillar Club pin lies in its rarity and the powerful personal story it represents. It is a coveted item for military collectors, not just for its material value but for the human history it encapsulates. Unlike campaign medals that were awarded to large numbers of servicemen, the pin was only given to a select few who had a confirmed parachute save. The presence of the pin in this collection, alongside other campaign medals like the 1939 1945 Star, the Air Crew Europe Star, and the War Medal, provides a complete picture of Warren's wartime experience, from service to survival and captivity. The unique nature of the pin makes this medal haul particularly special, as it tells a unique story that cannot be captured in a standard medal set alone.
The auction of these items provides a crucial opportunity to preserve and share the stories of bravery and survival that are at the heart of military history. The sale by Fellows Auctioneers is attracting significant interest from collectors and historians alike. The pin is a testament to the innovation of parachute technology during the war and the bravery of the airmen who relied on it. As the auctioneers note, such items are not just pieces of gold or metal; they are historical artifacts that allow us to delve into individual stories of courage against incredible odds.
