Great Escapee’s watch makes lots at auction

A WATCH belonging to an RAF officer executed by the Gestapo has made almost four times its upper estimate at Bourne End Auction Rooms.

Dating from the Forties, the black-dialled Rolex Oyster Chronograph had been listed along with a medal group belonging to Flight Lieutenant John F Williams.

Together, the items fetched £194,700 including premium at a sale at the auction rooms in Station Road, Bourne End, on Wednesday (December 2).

The rare watch — the reference number of which was 3525 — came complete with its original guarantee card. Its brave owner had taken part in the legendary “Great Escape” from Stalag Luft III, but paid the ultimate price after being recaptured.

Known as “Jack”, Williams had been the 67th Allied officer to escape through tunnel “Harry” during the March 1944 breakout.



As well as the watch and medals, other personal effects of Flight Lieutenant Williams offered in the sale were his “Mentioned in Dispatches” oak leaf; Irvin Gold Caterpillar Club pin; RAF brevets; letters sent from Stalag Luft III prisoner of war camp; personal wartime photographs and other related MOD and RAFA letters and copies of newspaper cuttings from the time.