GIBSON GUY: (1918-1944) British Airman of World War II, Wing Commander of 617 Squadron. Victoria Cross winner for his actions during Operation Chastise (The Dambusters Raid) on the Mohne and Eder Dams in Germany, 16th May 1943. An excellent vintage signed 5 x 3 photograph by Gibson, the image depicting the Wing Commander standing in a three quarter length pose in an open top Royal Air Force vehicle, the car surrounded by several officers and pilots, each wearing their uniforms. Signed ('Guy P Gibson') by Gibson in bold black fountain pen ink with his name alone to a light area of the image. With a typed caption to the head of the image, 'Llanishen Gliding School, A.T.C. March 4th 1944'. Signed photographs of Gibson are extremely rare as a result of his untimely death at the age of 26 when he lost his life as his aircraft crashed at Steenbergen in the Netherlands during an operation. VG

Gibson is recorded as having visited the trainees at the Air Training Corps base at Llanishen during World War II. Situated close to Gibson's wife's family home at Penarth, Llanishen served as a camp where the young A.T.C. members received basic training as glider pilots. Gibson was very popular with the young airmen who were delighted when he did two circuits of the area in one of the gliders.