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Lot 104
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← World Cup Special 16th November 2022

Kenneth Wolstenholme: The Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar to Flight Lieutenant K. Wolstenholme, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve the BBC sports c

Hammer Price:
£9,000
Estimated Price:

£10,000 - £15,000

Kenneth Wolstenholme: The Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar to Flight Lieutenant K. Wolstenholme, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve the BBC sports commentator who uttered the immortal "Some people are on the Pitch, they think it's all over, it is now" for the 1966 World Cup final match against Germany. Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., dated 1944 and engraved (F/LT. K. Wolstenholme.) with second award bar dated 1945, in original Royal Mint case of issue, with miniatures comprising: D.F.C. and bar; 1939-1945 Star; Air Crew Europe Star with France and Germany bar, Defence Medal; War Medal; Air Efficiency Award; R.A.F.V.R. tie pin, two RAF Pilot's Flying Log Books, an album of black and white privately taken photographs Wolstenholme was born in Worsley on the 17th of July and was brought up in Salford his first sporting memory was watching Bolton Wanderers with his dad when he was four. He attended Farnworth Grammar School, where Alan Ball, was also a pupil some years later. Before the outbreak of the Second World War Wolstenholme began his career as a journalist with the Manchester City News, as a member of the R.A.F.V.R. he was called up. In 1941, he qualified as a bomber pilot and was posted to 107 Squadron, flying Mark IV Bristol Blemheim's out of RAF Great Massingham, Norfolk. At the start of 1943 he transferred to de Havilland Mosquito with 105 Squadron, part of Air Vice-Marshal Don Bennett's No.8 Group RAF pathfinder Group. A modest man, with a distinguished flying career, Wolstenholme rarely spoke of his courage as a bomber pilot who flew 100 missions during the Second World War, for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944 and the following year a BAR to his DFC for continual bravery in raids in Germany.   After the war, he became a freelance journalist, working for BBC Radio. In 1948 his television career began, he covered the 1959 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final between Kilkenny and Waterford for BBC Television, an experience which moved him to describe hurling as his second-favourite sport after his first love, football. At the conclusion of the 1966 World Cup final Wolstenholme will be best remembered for his commentary, specifically the impromptu words "Some people are on the pitch... they think it's all over... it is now" as a small pitch invasion took place just as Geoff Hurst scored to put England 4–2 ahead. This iconic phrase has become part of World Cup folk law. He commented on many high profile matches over the years including 23 successive FA Cup finals, 1967 and 1968 European Cup finals and five World Cups.