New Zealander's Caterpillar Club Pin Set to Sell

Awarded to an RNZAF and RAF Spitfire Pilot in September 1945

Caterpillar Club pin

A WWII 'Caterpillar Club' pin. Of typical design, awarded to Warrant Officer Morris David Smith, inscribed W/O. M. D. Smith to reverse, length 2cm, gross weight 0.9g. With original presentation box, certificate of membership, and letter dated 24th September 1945 from Leslie L. Irvin, Honorary Secretary of the European Branch, Irving Air Chute.

 

A Caterpillar Club pin awarded to RNZAF and RAF Warrant Officer Morris David Smith is set to sell as part of Wilson 55's November Fine Jewellery & Watches Sale.

A small token of one man's incredible wartime tale, surviving not only an airplane 'bail-out', but enduring some of the most treachorous and infamous prisoner-of-war experiences in the Second World War. 

The Caterpillar Club was founded by parachute maker's Irvin in 1922. An unofficial award, this 9ct gold pin formed as a caterpillar, or silkworm, was awarded to all RAF personnel who had 'bailed out' successfully wearing an Irvin parachute made by the Irvin Air Chute Company. Awarded together with a 'Certificate of Membership' these pins were engraved to the reverse with the recipient's name and rank.

M D Smith

 

Morris David Smith was born in Kinwee, New Zealand in 1920. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in March 1941 at the age of twenty-one, enrolling into No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, at RNZAF Station Harewood, and travelled to Canada in May of the same year, completing his training at No. 10  5 Elementary Flying Training School, Dauphin. In October, Smith was dispatched to the UK and he served with the Royal Air Force for the remainder of the war. New Zealand provided personnel for service in both the RAF and the Royal Navy and was prepared to have New Zealanders serving under British command. Deployed in Northumberland, Sussex and Lincolnshire, Smith was enrolled as a Warrant Officer. 

 

In November 1942, Smith was transferred to Maison Blanche, Algeria, and spent 1943 in action across Europe, partaking in the Allied Invasion of Sicily of the same year, Malta and finally positioned in Italy from September 1943, patrolling the Volturno River.

 

On November 13th 1943, Smith's Spitfire V B721 plane was shot down by an 88 Flak during a sweep over Frosinone, central Italy. The 88 Flak is one of the most recognised German weapons of WWII and was an anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery gun. Morris used his issued Irvin parachute to bail out of his aircraft, and survived the landing, sustaining burns on his face and hands. He was treated in Italy, then captured and sent to the Stalag Luft IV prisoner-of-war camp in Gross Tychow, Poland. 

 

After over a year in the Stalag Luft IV prisoner-of-war camp, Morris was forced into the now infamous 86 day 'Death March' from 6th February 1945. During this horrific and pointless expedition, thousands of captive soldiers were forced to march 600 miles to the Stalag Luft XIB camp in Fallingbostel, Germany. Harrowing accounts of this march have been published from survivors. The prisoners were split into groups of 250-300, marching four or five abreast to form a river of men heading South to the German camp.

 

"Troops often marched all day with little or no mid-day food, water or rest. Adding to the misery was one of Germany's coldest winters ever. Snow piled knee-deep at times, and temperatures plunged well below zero. Under these conditions, virtually all the marchers grew gaunt and weak." Gary Turbak "Death March Across Germany" VFW Magazine.

 

At night, they were herded into barns to sleep, with so many trampling the route these stops were unfit for livestock use, cramped, and many had to sleep standing up. Over the course of 86 long days and over 600 treacherous miles, many men perished or were simply shot for lagging behind.

 

The first marchers reached their destination in March 1945, just as British and American troops were making progress. Prisoners were again set to marching, some of which re-doubled their route and even back again depending on the position of the Allied Forces. The Stalag XIB Camp was liberated in April 1945.

 

Stalag XIB survivors

Above: Newly liberated British POWs sit on the grounds of Stalag XIB. Image Credit: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Provenance: Eric Fenton.

 

Released and returning to his home in Kirwee, New Zealand by June 1945, Morris wrote to the Irvin Caterpillar Club. The return letter from Leslie L. Irvin, dated 24th September 1945 and awarding him membership into the Caterpillar Club is present and included with the lot. This pin and Morris' incredible story has remained with the family up until the present day, at which the pin, club documents and ephemera are offered for sale. 

Irvin Caterpillar Club paperwork

 

Morris David Smith is mentioned in two publications, including Spitfires Over Sicily by Brian Cull (p. 110) and Night Hawk by Roger Darlington (p. 91, 98-99).

 
Initially assessed via our easy Online Valuations Form, this pin has been consigned by an international vendor. Now having crossed the Atlantic to reach our Cheshire saleroom, this remarkable pin is set to sell. Featuring in our November 28th Fine Jewellery & Watches Sale, this wonderful piece has an estimate of £1,000-2,000.
 

 


For further information on any of the lots offered, or for a free, up-to-date and confidential valuation of your own items, contact our team via auctions@wilson55.com
 
 
 
 

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