Sydney Wilfred Cheetham’s World War II bomber jacket up for auction
From keeping a Toowoomba-born gunner in a Handley Page Halifax heavy bomber warm to protecting a farmer against the elements, a humble World War II jacket is having its moment as it goes on sale at a UK auction house.
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An 81-year-old bomber jacket is having its moment of legacy and glory as it goes on auction at Sworders, an esteemed UK auction house.
The jacket was tailored for Toowoomba-born gunner, Sydney Wilfred Cheetham (1921-1996), who completed 38 combat missions, or sorties, which totalled more than 330 hours flying Handley Page Halifax heavy bombers.
Mr Cheetham enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in November 1941, was sent to Canada on the MS Klipfontein in May 1942 and trained as a Wireless Operator Air Gunner, before joining the 58 Squadron (Coastal Command) in Stornoway, Scotland.
Mr Cheetham’s original World War II jacket is on sale this month at Sworder’s as part of the 12 March Homes and Interiors sale catalogue which includes a selection of Arms and Militaria.
After the war, the original World War II Irvin 1943 pattern sheepskin and fleece lined leather jacket was bought from a surplus shop by an Essex farmer, keeping him safe from the elements.
It came to auction by descent and now has a guide of £400-600.
The jacket is labelled ‘40288 1943’ is inscribed in ink for the original owner WS Cheetham 411645 RAAF.
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