Spitfire Pilot’s Caterpillar Club Sells for £2,000

The 9ct gold red enamel brooch – awarded to Sgt. W. H. T. Farmer for his heroics successfully using a parachute to escape a falling aircraft.

Caterpillar Club brooches were awarded to individuals who successfully used their parachute to escape a disabled aircraft. We have sold several Caterpillar Club brooches over the years – with many achieving prices well above their auction estimates.

This Caterpillar Club brooch was a popular item with multiple bids coming from online bidding platforms as well as a telephone bidder. Although it was entered to auction with an estimate of £400 – 600, the telephone bidder was ultimately successful, securing the brooch for £2,169.20 (including fees).

Ben Randall, Senior Specialist and Catalogue Manager at Fellows Auctioneers, said: “Much like an unassuming medal to the untrained eye, these tiny badges are a charming indicator of heroism and survival under immensely trying circumstances. Each badge tells a story that we would hope never needs repeating.

“Sometimes it is the material value of a piece that explains its value. On other occasions it is the provenance, the history that you can hold in your hand. Don’t forget to check and see what treasures might be lurking in your family treasure chest.”