George VI Silver RAF Interest Cigarette Case. The Exterior with RAF Wings. The Interior with inscription for Sqdn Ldr C.H. Dyson, DFC & Bar and engraved with the "33 Fighter Squadron Royal Air Force, Loyalty" cypher.
Charles Harold Dyson (1913 - 1997) began his RAF career in 1937. After training he became a member of No. 33 Sqn and carried out attacks on Arab insurgents in Palestine. His part in these operations earned him a DFC. He remained in the Middle East after the outbreak of WWII. Nicknamed "DEAD STICK" from his many forced landings without engine power, often followed by a long struggle home by foot.
On 11 December 1940 he had encountered a number of Italian Air Force CR 42's and claimed six shot down and one damaged before he ran out of ammunition, was hit and crash landed in the desert. He made his way back to his squadron on foot, rejoining it on 17 December. Dyson’s account was not believed until a message was received from army sources, offering congratulations to the pilot who had ‘shot down seven enemy aircraft’. Dyson was an experienced pilot who before the war had won a DFC for actions against insurgents in Palestine and would ultimately become a Wing Commander. Dyson was subsequently awarded a Bar to his DFC.
No. 33 Sqn moved to Greece and Dyson was shot down there by an Italian G.50 on March 23 and then by AA fire on April 5. He managed to bail out in both cases.Charles himself was shot down and managed to walk back again after being posted missing. He crossed three mountains disguised as a Shepherd and escaping from Crete in the very last Sunderland flight. After the fall of Greece, Dyson served as a fighter pilot in Egypt but was not involved in any further combat action.
Hallmarked for Birmingham 1940 by Charles Edwin Turner.
In excellent condition with light surface wear commensurate with age.
Approximate weight is 167 grams or 5.3 troy ounces.
Approximate dimensiosn are 12 cm length, 8 cm width and 0.7 cm thickness.