Flight Lieutenant Edward Sydney Ellis was just one of only seven to have been awarded both the Distinguished Flying Cross and Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.

The medals sold alongside the Crowned Royal Cipher of King George VI (G.VI.R), 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence and War Medals 1939-45 - all awarded to Ellis.

Ellis, born in Luton, Beds., in 1914 and attested for the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in October 1940.

He joined the newly formed 625 Lancasters Squadron in Kelstern, Lincs., and flew at least 19 operations over Germany during the Battle of Berlin.

His Conspicuous Gallantry Medal was awarded after a raid on Berlin on December 2 and 3, 1943.

Ellis was commanding a new crew on their first raid and with his rear gunner out of action, he was raked by an enemy fighter 'from stem to stern'.

The Flight Lieutenant pressed on with his bombing run before flying his wrecked aircraft home to effect a successful crash landing.

Auctioneer Noonans' Medal Specialist Mark Quayle said the medals were 'the physical embodiment of one man's determination to carry out his duty regardless of personal consequence'.

He added: "Flight Lieutenant Ellis risked life and limb time and again with his Lancaster crew during the Second World War."