Medals of Air Commodore Al Deere

RAF Spitfire pilot Al Deere was perhaps the most famous of the many New Zealanders who joined the RAF and fought in the Second World War.

By the end of the war he had 22 confirmed victories, of which 10 occurred during the Battle of Britain. Nevertheless, he believed he had cheated death on nine separate occasions while flying in Spitfires. Medals, from left to right: Distinguished Service Order and Bar, Order of the British Empire, OBE (Military) 2nd Type, Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar, 1939–1945 Star with Battle of Britain clasp, Air Crew Europe Star with France & Germany clasp, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939–45, 1953 Coronation Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross (USA).