September 13, 2019 4.42 pm This story is over 53 months old

Dambuster Guy Gibson’s medals to be displayed in Lincoln

His Victoria Cross has only been publicly exhibited three times before

Dambuster Guy Gibson’s medals, including the Victoria Cross, will be showcased at a new exhibition in Lincoln next year.

One of the most famous Victoria Crosses in British Military history – that of Wing Commander Gibson – has only been publicly exhibited three times, previously and all in London. It has remained stored away since 1992.

It will go on display in Lincolnshire next year thanks to unique permission from the RAF Museum Hendon.

Paratroopers in front of their C-47 aircraft at North Witham (near Grantham) on June 5, 1944, before taking off to Normandy at the start of D-Day.

It is part of Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire’s final “Bastion in the Air” exhibition.

The exhibition entitled ‘A Century of Valour’ will take place at The Collection museum. It will open from Saturday, January 25 until Sunday, March 15, 2020.

Two Vulcans escorted by four Lightnings fly over RAF Scampton during the 1960s. Photo: RAF Scampton Heritage Centre

It is a unique opportunity to see the medal, along with other medals and a wide variety of World War One, World War Two and Cold War artefacts.

Previously unseen memorabilia from the famous righter ace Douglas Bader, including his log book and artefacts from his time in captivity in Colditz castle, will also be display.


Buster, trained Arms and Explosives dog who won 5 military campaign medals for his tours of duty in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Iraq, pictured with his handler, Flt Sgt Michael (Will) Barrow.

The exhibition tells the stories of bravery in the air and on the ground through the three major periods in Lincolnshire’s military history. It will explain aspects of Lincolnshire’s proud aviation history over the last one hundred years through film and displays.

At the School of Air Evacuation at Bowman Field, Kentucky. Members of the U.S. Army Flight Nurse Corps in 1943 displaying the various types of Army Nurse Corps uniforms. Photo: US National Archives

Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire is working in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council’s Heritage Service and West Lindsey District Council on this prestigious National Lottery Heritage funded project.

Members of the U.S Army Flight Nurse Corps in 1943 displaying the various types of Army Nurse Corps uniforms. Photo: US National Archives

US Army Nurse Corp recruitment poster.

Associate partners in this project include: RAF Museum, Imperial War Museum, Lord Ashcroft Collection, Wilkin Chapman Solicitors, Pygott & Crone, in addition to contributions from private collections and federal museums in the USA and Germany.