WW2 Irvin Parachute Company gold caterpillar club award
A rare original 'Irvin Parachute Company wartime award' in the form of a small gold caterpillar, the eyes set with red rubies, the reverse inscribed SGT M.J.CARTER.. Very good uncleaned condition, retaining original pin fittings.
Length 20mm.
The 'Gold Caterpillar Club Award' was initiated in the early 1920s by 'Leslie Irvin' of the 'Irvin Parachute Company' to be awarded to anyone whose life was actually saved by the use of one of their parachutes.
RAF Sergeant M.J. Carter volunteered for aircrew duties and qualified as a Bomb Aimer In 1944 he was posted to '514 Squadron RAF' which at that time operated the Avro Lancaster MK1. On the night of the 12/13 August 1944 he was briefed with his crew for operations to Russelsheim. His pilot a New Zealander 'Flight Sergeant J Lawrie' lifted his Lancaster into the air from RAF Waterbeach at 21.44hrs. All appeared to go well until 01.30hrs when the Lancaster was attacked by a night fighter, Flight Sergeant Lawrie gave the order to Bale out, but to ensure his crew was safe he remained at the controls, which cost him his life. Carter with the rest of the crew jumped into the darkness, his life saved by his irvin parachute, thus qualifying him to become a member of the caterpillar club. All the remaining crew landed safely and evaded capture.
Code: 55824