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Dambuster Guy Gibson's Victoria Cross on show Dambuster Guy Gibson's Victoria Cross on show
(about 4 hours later)
A Victoria Cross awarded to Wing Cdr Guy Gibson - who led the famous Dambusters raid during World War II - is going on public display for the first time in almost 30 years.A Victoria Cross awarded to Wing Cdr Guy Gibson - who led the famous Dambusters raid during World War II - is going on public display for the first time in almost 30 years.
Wing Cdr Gibson was awarded the VC for his part in the 1943 raid on Germany in which he commanded 617 Squadron.Wing Cdr Gibson was awarded the VC for his part in the 1943 raid on Germany in which he commanded 617 Squadron.
It will go on display at Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire in Lincoln. It will go on display at The Collection Museum in Lincoln.
David Harrigan, from the museum, said: "I can't tell you how important this is. We are honoured to have it."David Harrigan, from the museum, said: "I can't tell you how important this is. We are honoured to have it."
Wing Cdr Gibson, who flew out of RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, was killed when his plane crashed on its way back from another mission in Germany the following year.Wing Cdr Gibson, who flew out of RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, was killed when his plane crashed on its way back from another mission in Germany the following year.
Mr Harrigan, who has been involved in organising the exhibition at the museum, said: "The medal hasn't been seen in public since 1992 and it's only been on public display three times since his death in 1944 - and all those were in London."Mr Harrigan, who has been involved in organising the exhibition at the museum, said: "The medal hasn't been seen in public since 1992 and it's only been on public display three times since his death in 1944 - and all those were in London."
He said it was the first and probably only time the medal would be on display in the county.He said it was the first and probably only time the medal would be on display in the county.
"So, we are very grateful to the RAF Museum in Hendon.""So, we are very grateful to the RAF Museum in Hendon."
Other exhibition highlights include artefacts from pilot Douglas Bader's career and his time in Colditz prison, and a decommissioned nuclear bomb.Other exhibition highlights include artefacts from pilot Douglas Bader's career and his time in Colditz prison, and a decommissioned nuclear bomb.
Animal bravery is also recognised. One exhibit features a medal awarded to a pigeon which flew hundreds of miles carrying a message notifying officials of a plane crash.Animal bravery is also recognised. One exhibit features a medal awarded to a pigeon which flew hundreds of miles carrying a message notifying officials of a plane crash.
"What we wanted to do was bring together some of the incredible and forgotten stories about Lincolnshire's contribution to the defence of this country," Mr Harrison added."What we wanted to do was bring together some of the incredible and forgotten stories about Lincolnshire's contribution to the defence of this country," Mr Harrison added.
The exhibition, called A Century of Valour, runs until 15 March.The exhibition, called A Century of Valour, runs until 15 March.
Dambusters raidDambusters raid
Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook on Twitter, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook on Twitter, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.