The medals, including a World War II DSO and DFC and bar group, are estimated to sell for £20,000-£30,000.
Billy Drake was born in London on 20 December 1917 to an English father and Australian mother. He was educated in Switzerland after several schools in England failed to cope with his lively temperament.
He joined the RAF just before his 18th birthday in July 1936 and went to France with No.1 Squadron in September 1939.
Numerous sorties in France, the UK and North Africa followed and by October 1942 Drake had destroyed 17 aircraft in the air with two others shared – a total exceeded in North Africa only by one other pilot, the Australian-born group captain Clive ‘Killer’ Caldwell.
In January 1943 Drake was promoted to wing commander and posted to HQ RAF Cairo. He then took command of the Spitfire Wing in Malta in June 1943.
He was appointed wing leader 20 Wing in late November 1943 and attacked the German V-1 sites in the Pas-de-Calais.
With his experience of fighter and ground tactics, he was sent to instruct at the RAF Fighter Leaders’ School. Despite being in a training appointment, he frequently absconded for a day to take part in attacks against targets in France.
His operational career came to an end in August 1944 where he was sent to The USA on special duties. He remained with the RAF until 1962.
He was known for wearing a cravat in the colours of English Epsom Derby winner Hyperion and later recalled of his war service: ‘By God, we had a good time. That’s not to say we behaved the way Hollywood likes to portray Battle of Britain pilots. Of course, there were a few randy ruffians who would chase any girl. But generally we all had girlfriends, and we didn’t use the war as an excuse to sleep with them. We were gentlemen.’
Drake lived for 20 years in the Algarve where he owned Billy’s Bar and died at Teignmouth on 28 August 2011, aged 93.
To read Billy Drake’s obituary in the Daily Telegraph, click here.
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