Antiques Roadshow expert Robert Tilney’s valuation of one guest’s World War Two logbook was pretty much ignored after he delved into the unique story behind the owner.
In a classic episode, which first aired in March 2024 and will air once again this weekend, Katherine Wright was excited to see a collection of ceramics by Irish designer John French.
Mark Hill admired a mid-century lounge chair by an American designer bought for a tenner, whilst Lennox Cato was moved by a carved wooden crucifix dated 1716.
Elsewhere, Mark Smith examined a medal awarded to a woman who took part in the Irish War of Independence, before John Sandon was intrigued by a strange ceramic tray pierced with small holes that bears the mark of the Belleek porcelain factory.
However, it was Tilney who was met by one guest who ignored the stunning valuation of his item due to the sentimental and family values it held.
Taking a look at the item, Tilney began: “This is a pilot's flying log book, in which it records all the details of all the flights he has done.
The book belonged to a member of the guest's family
BBC
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“It’s for a W. A. Wallace, Royal Canadian Air Force! So if we open, here this is a completely different name.”
“It is the same name, William Andrew Wallace, that’s Gaelic,” the guest confirmed before Tilney continued: “Right, so he is very proud of his Gaelic heritage.
“Left lieutenant, acting RNV – Royal Navy Volunteer, so he had been flying for the fleet air arm? And he is flying Sea Fires, which is the navy version of Spitfires.
“Now this is the bit that I got really excited about, D-Day, 6th June, the invasion. Now, this is so understated. ‘Shot down over the beachhead at 8:30.
Robert Tilney was left blown away by the story behind the logbook
BBC
“Landed near Russey, walked to American Beachhead O. So that’s Omaha (beach). But under here were have got a little cutting. He is flying and he is spotting for the battleships.
“They’re picking our targets on the shore, and they’re pinpointing the battleships. He is now shot down and he is 10 miles behind.
“He had walked through no man's land, wearing a pullover and a pair of civilian trousers,” Tiley concluded before the guest confirmed: “Which the local French people gave him.”
As Tilney continued to read, it came to light that the pilot dodged German patrols and nearly walked through a minefield on his journey back.
Stunned by the story, Tilney expressed: “That is a fabulous, fabulous logbook. Have you thought what this logbook would be worth?”
The guest right away rubbished any desire to sell, declaring: “It wouldn’t have any value, it is value to the family, to his grandchildren, and that is it. I couldn’t put money on it.”
He valued the logbook starting at £800 at auction and claimed it would "climb"
BBC
Not wanting the guest to walk away with nothing, Tilney quipped: “Well, I could, if this went to auction, the bidding would start at £800 and climb.
“You can’t get much more iconic. D-Day, pranged the thing, got shot down, and walked back. And he would have been back inside two or three days, what an amazing chap. Thanks very much.”
