BEAMISH VICTOR: (1903-1942) Irish Group Captain, a fighter pilot and flying ace of World War II who participated in the Battle of Britain. A rare D.S., F V Beamish, one page, folio, n.p., 18^th September 1940. The partially printed document, completed in Beamish’s hand, is a Combat Report (RAF Form 1151, marked Secret) providing details of one of the pilot’s aerial engagements and victories over the Isle of Sheppey during the Battle of Britain, the narrative stating, in part, ‘I took off after 249 Sqdn…..The Sqdn. was then at 21,000…..The 109’s were camouflaged exactly to match our Spitfires & were only noticeable by the square wing tail & the black cross beneath the wings at close range…..I immediately attacked the….109 & got a couple of good bursts into it. Its undercarriage dropped down & it poured out a lot of smoke & lost height rapidly. This was seen by P G Barton (249 Sqdn) from above……& he watched it down to within a few feet from the ground but then had to continue formation with his squadron. I then got another good burst into another 109 and was then set upon by three other 109s. My ammunition was almost gone, & I got out of a hot corner, after a few circles’. Autographs of Beamish are rare in any form as a result of him being killed in action during World War II at the young age of 38. A few small, minor tears to the edges, one only very slightly affecting one word of text, and some light age wear, about VG