RARE medals of an RAF hero who flew a staggering 350 missions in the Second World War are expected to fetch thousands of pounds in auction.

The collection of memorabilia consists of at least five medals, a flying logbook and press cuttings detailing the local man's extensive war services.

But the item which has caused the most excitement is an extremely rare Distinguished Flying Medal with the significant addition of a silver bar on the ribbon.

Bill Tag, a war medal expert, said: "The little silver bar with a crown on it shows that he won the DFM not once but twice � a fact that even his family was not aware of, and a rare achievement given that the average life expectancy of bomber crews was eight weeks."

The St Helens gunner took part in 350 missions in total over Germany and Italy, from 1940 to 1945.

Bill, the owner of Liverpool Militaria in the city centre, said: "Quite a few DFMs were issued to the brave men that fought in the Second World War, but there would have been very few bars ordered.

"I've only seen one or two sold in the north west over the past 20 years because they are so personal and valuable to the families."

To read the complete article, see:RAF hero's rare medals to go under the hammer(www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/9022026.RAF_hero_s_rare_
medals_to_go_under_the_hammer/)