This is a 17 x 15 cm sized bookplate which features the 30 July 1940 dated Gazette award of the DFM for Battle of Britain fighter pilot Freserick William Higginson. The bookplate has been signed by Taffy Higginson above an original pencil portrait of him by Steve Teasdale. This bookplate will fit most books on the Battle of Britain. 
Higginson joined 56 Squadron at North Weald on 20th October 1937 and was still with it on 1st September 1939 with the rank of Flight Sergeant. He went with 'B' Flight to Vitry-en-Artois, France on 16th May 1940, claimed a Do17 and a He111 destroyed on the 17th and a Me110 on the 18th.
On that evening the flight was evacuated from Vitry and went to Norrent Fontes. Higginson and Sgt. C Whitehead were sent back to destroy the remaining aircraft and stores. When they finally left the Germans were only 3 or 4 miles away.
Over Dunkirk on 29th May Higginson claimed a Me109 and on 15th July a probable Do17.
He was awarded the DFM (gazetted 30th July 1940).
On 12th August he damaged a Do17, on the 16th destroyed a Do17, on the 18th shot down another, on the 25th probably destroyed a Me110, on the 26th destroyed a Me110, on the 31st a Me109, on 14th September a Do17, on the 27th he damaged a Me110 and on the 30th he shared a Me110 and damaged another.