"The amazing story of a colourful World War One hero pilot whose quick-thinking prevented disaster can be told after his bravery medals sold for over £5,000. Lieutenant Arthur Burbury, of the London Regiment, was observing from 3,000ft the British army's assault on the Germans at the Battle of the Somme when a shell severed his cable. The hydrogen balloon drifted perilously towards the German lines, seemingly destined to end up in enemy hands. To prevent this from happening, Lt Burbury performed a daring manoeuvre to cut the balloon's rip panel so it instantly deflated. He then attached his parachute and leapt out of the balloon as it dropped to the ground near Maricourt on the British side. Lt Burbury's medals, including a prestigious Military Cross and Croix De Guerre awarded for this action, were auctioned off by a private collector with London-based Spink & Son. They achieved a hammer price of £4,500, with extra fees taking the overall figure paid by the buyer to £5,500." www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8357299/Medals-WWI-hero-stopped-hydrogen-balloon-falling-German-hands-sells-5k.html
