Leonard Birchall Signed Cut Signature with Portrait WWII RCAF Group Captain (PSA)

Hand-Signed Cut Signature by Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina Pilot Leonard Birchall – Encapsulated by PSA/DNA

Offered for auction is an exceptionally rare hand-signed cut signature of Leonard Birchall, legendary Canadian aviator and pilot of the Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina flying boat during the Second World War. This signature has been encapsulated by PSA/DNA, the industry leader in third-party autograph authentication and encapsulation, ensuring its authenticity and preservation.

Biography of Leonard Birchall – “The Saviour of Ceylon”

Group Captain Leonard Joseph Birchall, OBE, DFC, OOnt, CD (1915–2004), was a celebrated Royal Canadian Air Force officer best known for his heroic role in the early defense of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) during World War II. On April 4, 1942, while piloting a PBY-5 Catalina flying boat on a reconnaissance patrol over the Indian Ocean, Birchall and his crew spotted the approaching Japanese fleet just hours before it planned a surprise attack on the British naval base in Colombo.

Though his aircraft was shot down by Japanese fighters and he was taken prisoner, Birchall successfully radioed a warning that allowed Allied forces to prepare defensive measures—an act that earned him the title "The Saviour of Ceylon." He endured more than three years as a prisoner of war, where he further distinguished himself by defending the rights of fellow POWs and upholding the principles of the Geneva Convention under extreme adversity.

Birchall’s valor earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and post-war recognition as one of Canada’s greatest military leaders. He later served as Commandant of the Royal Military College of Canada and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire and a Member of the Order of Ontario.

Item Details

Signer: Leonard J. Birchall – RCAF Group Captain, WWII

Aircraft: Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina Flying Boat

Medium: Hand-signed cut signature in pencil

Authentication: Encapsulated and certified authentic by PSA/DNA

Condition: Signature is crisp and well-preserved within PSA’s protective holder

Summary

This encapsulated signature of Group Captain Leonard Birchall is a historically important artifact representing one of the pivotal moments in Pacific theater reconnaissance and Canadian military aviation history. Known globally as “The Saviour of Ceylon,” Birchall’s foresight and courage saved countless lives and altered the course of Allied operations in the Indian Ocean.

A rare acquisition for collectors of aviation, WWII, or Canadian military memorabilia, this piece honors one of the most distinguished airmen of the 20th century.

A portion of the sale of this auction will be donated to the General James. H Doolittle Scholarship Fund. The General James H. Doolittle Scholarship Fund was founded to assist college students by awarding one scholarship annually in the maximum amount of $5,000 to a deserving student who is pursuing a baccalaureate or advanced degree in aeronautical engineering or an aerospace science. Students are selected based on their scholastic achievement, school and community participation, demonstrated leadership potential and financial need. More information can be found at the Doolittle Scholarship Funds’ website.

The autograph(s) has been authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA for authenticity purposes.

Authentication: PSA Encapsulated

Due to the uniqueness of each item, please refer to the photos provided in this auction. We offer high resolution images of each item rather than a written description of condition.

This item is being shipped from the Pristine Auction warehouse.