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Description: Identity Disc of Squadron Leader Gerald Charles Neil Close 59 Squadron, Awarded the George Cross for Bravery and Later Lost on Operations in 1941, crude silver oval identity disc which has been poorly scratch engraved with “G. C. N. CLOSE C of E R.A.F 37383”. Heavily pitted and worn, would appear to have been made outside of the UK. Gerald Charles Neil Close was born in 1914, he enlisted for service in the Royal Air Force pre-war and was awarded the Empire Gallantry medal in 1937, appearing in the London Gazette 21st December 1937, the recommendation for the award is as follows, “At Miranshah at about 0950 hours on the 13th April 1937, a Wapiti aircraft of No.27 (B) Squadron crashed about 700 yards beyond the boundary of the aerodrome shortly after leaving the ground. This aircraft was proceeding to the zone of air blockade operations and was loaded with four 112 pound Mark VI bombs, four 8.5 pound practice bombs and 800 rounds of small arms ammunition. One of the 112 pound bombs exploded immediately the aircraft crashed. Pilot Officer Close was Duty Pilot at Miranshah aerodrome at the time of the crash. He at once leapt on the fire tender taking with him AC.1 Woodcock and AC1 McKinnon and proceeded to the scene of the accident with the greatest promptitude. The fire tender was temporarily impeded on the way to the scene of the accident by a difficult nullah. Pilot Officer Close in company with the two airmen left the tender at this point and ran about 250 yards to the aircraft. Whilst still some 75 yards away from the scene of the accident they observed the aircraft burst into flames. Pilot Officer Close led on his airmen and approached closely to the burning aircraft. All three men rushed back to the fire tender which by this time had arrived near the burning aircraft. They seized fire extinguishers and approached as near as possible to the burning wreckage, sprayed the fire and did their utmost to rescue the imprisoned crew. Whilst they were so engaged at a distance of about eight feet from the wreckage a second 112-pound bomb exploded. Fortunately none of the would-be rescuers was injured. In spite of the explosion of this bomb and numerous small arms ammunition, they continued their attempts to extinguish the flames and rescue the crew. They did not withdraw from the immediate vicinity of the crash until ordered to do so by a senior officer who judged the risks too great owing to the grave danger of further explosions of bombs and small arms ammunition”. In 1940 King George VI created the award of the George Cross and in 1941 all living recipients of the Empire Gallantry Medal were to exchange their medal for the newly created George Cross and were such recognised as George Cross winners. On 9th May 1941, Close was the pilot of a Bristol Blenheim Mk IV, ser.T1874, c/s TR-Y took off from RAF Thorney Island at 22:00 hrs with a flight to attack shipping in Boulogne, he and his crew failed to return from this operation. It was just three days after his promotion to Squadron Leader. The crew of his aircraft were buried in a collective grave. Gerald Close sadly holds the record for holding the George Cross for the shortest time. He is buried at the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France. Categories: The Late Jerry Withers Collection of Identity Discs