Medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, will go on sale.

Ivan Whittaker, from Walkerville, was the only RAF flight engineer to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on two occasions.

He spent much of his life in the RAF, retiring as group captain in 1974, but died five years later.

The medals will be sold at Spink auction house, in London, on Friday.

Born in 1921, it was Mr Whittaker's ambition to join the RAF and he signed up aged 18 in 1938.

The Dambusters unit was formed at RAF Scampton in 1943 and charged with breaching dams in the Ruhr area of Germany which provided vital power to key German industrial centres.

World premiere

Mr Whittaker received the first DFC for taking part in the Dambusters operation and the second for landing his plane safely after it was hit in a raid over France, even though he was badly injured.

He later joined 511 Squadron - a VIP unit flying royalty and other dignitaries, including the then prime minister Clement Attlee.

Mr Whittaker received an OBE in the Queen's Birthday honours list in 1962.

Richard Bishop, a medal specialist at Spink auction house, said: "His family say he was very modest, that seems to be in keeping with other servicemen who receive honours, even Victoria Cross winners."

The collection of medals for sale include the OBE, DFC and bar, 1939 - 1945 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and The War Medal.

Also included are two flying log books and a programme for the world premiere of The Dambusters film, signed by members of 617 squadron.