Wellington Auctions in London are holding an online sale of medals and militaria this month which will offer nearly 500 lots in a military auction.
One intriguing lot is the set of medals which belonged to Major F R E Davis of the RAF. Alongside a British War Medal and a Victory Medal (marked to acknowledge Davis's mention in dispatches), the First World War collection includes both a CBE and an OBE.
Davis was, unusually, permitted to wear both CBE and OBE together, as they had been awarded by different branches of the awards system: the CBE as a civilian award and the OBE for his military service.
Davis, was sent to New York on 28.11.17 and attached to U.S. naval Airship Squadron, following which he was `Specially recommended for promotion for improvements in the Naval Airship Squadron of U.S., [have] been largely brought about by him'.
The piece carries an estimate of £1,550-1,850. Also appearing in the sale are two Davison's Nile Medals, one in silver (for a junior officer, with a guide price of £2,000-2,500) and one in gilt bronze (for a petty officer, estimated at £1,200-1,500).
These medals were handed out in recognition of Lord Nelson's victory in the Nile in 1798.
The medals expected to be the high-flyers at this sale however are all from First World War RAF pilots including two Distinguished Flying Cross groups:
First, Second Lieutenant AT Sprangle's DFC, War Medal and Victory Medal, which is expected to achieve £3,250-3,950. Englishman Sprangle was the gunner on the plane credited with bringing down the first enemy aircraft in Battle of Amiens, September 1918.
 Lieutenant Sprangle's DFC and other medals |
Captain J C O Dickson, a Lancashire pilot who is mentioned a number of times in Over the Balkans & South Russia 1917-1919 is also represented by his DFC, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Defence Medal, in total offered with a guide price of £3,350-3,750.
Highest of all, however is a set of medals awarded to RAF engineer T Y Cordiner: an Air Force Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal, which are together expected to bring £3,900-4,450.
The sale takes place exclusively online and by post, with bids accepted until July 1.
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