Rare war medals up for sale at RWB Auctions in Royal Wootton Bassett

The items will go up for sale at RWB Auctions, an auction house, between Wednesday, May 8 and Thursday, May 9.

They belonged to Gerald Wilton, who was originally born Gerhard Wolkenstein in Vienna in 1924 and was the son of a Jewish businessman.

“It is an amazing story and we’re privileged to be able to offer these items for sale," said Kimberly Day, of the Britannia Coin Company.

Wilson's military medals tell the unique story of his wartime experiences. (Image: RWB Auctions)

She continued: "Sadly in 1949, aged just 25, Flight Lieutenant Wilton was killed in tragic circumstances, falling from a fourth-floor window of a Selfridges department store in London.

"We have tried to trace any descendants of Gerald Wilton but we’ve not been successful. We know he had a brother who may have had children.

"We hope that these items go to someone who will truly appreciate their heritage and significance."

After his father's assets were seized by the Nazi State, Wilton's family fled to London in 1938 where he worked as a tailor before enlisting in the Royal Air Force.

In March 1944, Wilton boarded a Halifax BIII Bomber heading for Berlin, as part of a night mission during the Battle of Berlin.

His bomber was lost and he was one of six crew to survive, parachuting over Germany before being captured and sent to Stalag Luft, a prisoner of war camp in Germany.

The rare 'Caterpillar Club' brooch gained its name from the silk that parachutes used to be made out of. (Image: RWB Auctions)

Wilton spent over a year at the camp.

After being released when the war ended, Wilton receive countless medals in the RAF, including a tiny gold pin that signified he was part of the 'Caterpillar Club'.

Members of this exclusive club have successfully used a parachute to escape a disabled aircraft and each rare pin is engraved with the recipient's name.

Wilton's medals and brooch are estimated to sell for between £800 to £1,000.