Squadron Leader ‘stole £12,000 train nameplate’
AN RAF officer stole a Battle of Britain train nameplate and sold it to a memorabilia dealer for £12,000, a court heard yesterday.
Sqn Ldr Philip John Morley Angus is alleged to have removed the metal “Lord Dowding” sign from a store.
It was bought by David Jones, of Great Central Railwayana, who knew it was missing, Harrow Crown Court heard. The item was sold on and the theft came to light at auction.
Angus, of Rosson-Wye, denies stealing the sign. Jones, 62, of Daventry, denies receiving stolen goods.
The plate was a tribute to Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding who led RAF Fighter Command in the Second World War. Two adorned a Battle of Britain class steam loco from 1947. His stepson
David Whiting lent the sign to RAF Bentley Priory in 1990 for its Battle of Britain 50th anniversary display – the north London site was Fighter Command’s HQ.
James Keeley, prosecuting, said MrWhiting asked for it back in 2006 but the RAF could not find it.
The nameplate was identified at an auction years later and police traced it back to Jones and Angus. Mr
Keeley said Jones had reassured its final buyer, who was aware one had been lost: “There were no worries the nameplate was legitimate”.
Jurors heard Jones told police he had bought it from Angus, 66, who was then questioned in May 2018.
Angus was president of the RAF base’s officers’ mess committee when he agreed to dispose of some memorabilia. Mr Keeley said: “He found the Lord Dowding in a storeroom and asked a senior officer if he could take the nameplate home to restore it.
“He did not complete the restoration and retired in 2000. He stole the nameplate and Mr Jones bought it and knew he was dealing in stolen goods.” Jones had been asked in 2010 by Mr Whiting for a valuation of the missing sign.
Mr Keeley said Jones bought it off Angus the next year, knowing “it was either lost or stolen”.
He later told police “he did not inform Mr Whiting about it because he did not think he would be interested any more”.
The trial continues.