Medals & Coins, Arms & Militaria - 28th March 2017

Lot 504

The Great War flying Military Cross group of eight medals to Squadron Leader John Tudor Powell...

Estimate £1,500 - £2,000 | Hammer £6000

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Description

The Great War flying Military Cross group of eight medals to Squadron Leader John Tudor Powell Whittaker, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, comprising: M.C., George V, reverse privately engraved 'Capt. J.T.P. Whittaker/ R.F.C./ January 1917'; British War Medal 1914-20; Victory Medal (MAJOR J.T. WHITTAKER R.A.F.); India General Service Medal 1908-35, George V, clasp; Waziristan 1921-24 (S/L. J.T. WHITTAKER. R.A.F.; France, Croix de Guerre, with Palm; Italy, Order of The Crown, Knight's badge; Medal for Military Valour, silver, reverse engraved 'Whittaker John Tudor/ PIAVE TRENTINO, HIVERNO 1917-18'; War Merit Cross; offered with a small collection of photographs and research, Order of the Crown badge with bend in junction of upper arm causing weakness and slight loss to enamel, medals otherwise good very fine or better.

Born in Lewisham 20/02/1894. University School Cadet Corps Hastings; Fesltead School O.T.C.; 103 Calgary Rifles (Canada); Canadian A.S.C.; Joined A.S.C. Salibury Plain 11/11/14; Served with R.F.C. in the field from 17/03/16; Gazetted 2nd Lt. A.S.C. and seconded for duty with R.F.C.; gazetted Flying Officer 04/06/16; 24/07/16 attacked transports on road from Corcelette; 22/08/16 "Captain J.T.P. Whittaker..or 4 Sqn...was attacked in turn by a Fokker biplane and a L.V.G., both of which were driven off" *

At 10am on July 1st 1916 (the first day of the Somme), the recipient arrived over the battle front in his BE2c biplane. Observing a German gun position that threatened the beleaguered ground troop he descended to 700 feet to attack it with machine gun fire. He then saluted men of the Liverpool and the Manchester 'Pals' battalions (advancing in one of the more successful areas of the battle) by flying low over their heads and waggling his wings - to be greeting by enthusiastic arm waving.** August of that year found him engaging in successful dog fights with Fokkers, before sustaining a bullet wound to the abdomen, 25/08/16. While convalescing his M.C. was gazette 01/01/17

Declared fit again 06/07/17, he returned to duty on the Italian front as a Major in command of 66 Squadron.Italy: Order of the Crown, Silver Medal for Valour both L.G. 02/11/18. France: Croixe de Guerre L.G. 08/11/18.

* Cole, 'Royal Flying Corps 1915-1916'

** Giblin and Franks