Samovar Presented to F/Lt V.R. Paterson

Engraved from the Officers and NCO's of 78 Squadron on the occasion of his marriage 18/10/40. In addition the lid is engraved with a fine facsimile of an RAF Pilot's King's Crown Brevet. 78 squadron joined the front line in July 1940 flying Whitley Bombers as part of 4 Group based at Dishforth. Victor Roberton Paterson won a DFC 11.02.41 and was subsequently posted to join 101 squadron of 3 Group. On 21st September, 1942, Paterson was skipper of Wellington III coded X3815 flying out of RAF Stradishall on a "Gardening" sortie over Kiel Bay and off the coast of Denmark. He was attacked over Jylland by a German night fighter. Two of his crew bailed out from the burning aircraft and were subsequently captured but Patterson and the other two crew members fell with the aircraft and lost their lives in the subsequent crash on Spandet Moor. Squadron Leader Paterson DFC was just 26 years old and his wife Jane Roberton Paterson was widowed after exactly 23 months of marriage. Paterson and his two crew mates are buried in the Aabenraa Military Cemetary in Denmark close to where they fell. This samovar is an emotive tribute to 3 of the 55, 500 brave aircrew of Bomber Command who made the ultimate sacrifice. On offer as a decorative item. Measures 12.5" (32 cm)