Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Great War O.B.E. group of five awarded to Squadron Leader (formerly Sergeant Major) W. J. Waddington, Royal Flying Corps, late Lancashire Fusiliers, who gained his Royal Aero Club Aviator’s Certificate in 1913 and was designated the regimental number ‘10’

The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire, O.B.E. (Miitary) Officer’s 1st type; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (8807 Sgt., Vol. Coy., Lanc. Fus.) top of suspension claw slightly cropped and possibly re-pinned, clasp carriage soldered to facilitate mounting; 1914 Star, with clasp (10 Sjt., R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt.) some official corrections, suspension claw tightened on B.W.M, the Q.S.A. polished and with contact wear, therefore good fine, otherwise good very fine (5) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Fine Collection of Medals to 'Old Contemptibles' formed by Major Bob Keay.

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O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919 (Captain, R.A.F.).

M.I.D. London Gazette 22 June 1915 (Sergeant Major).

William James Waddington was born in Longsight, Manchester on 20 September 1882 and attested for the Lancashire Fusiliers in January 1900, at which time he gave his trade as ‘plumber.’ He served in the Boer War with No. 1 Volunteer Service Company, Lancashire Fusiliers and was the senior N.C.O. with this unit. After a period of service with the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards he transferred to the newly formed Royal Flying Corps on 29 January 1913 and gained his Royal Aero Club Aviator’s Certificate in July of the same year at Upavon, flying a Short. He served in France and Flanders with No. 4 Squadron, R.F.C. from 9 September 1914 and was mentioned in despatches in June the following year. He received his commission in the rank of Hon. Lieutenant (Q.M.) 13 August 1915, Captain, Temporary Major (Technical) 1918, Squadron Leader, Stores Depot, Egypt 1920. The Air Force List of 1938 shows him as Squadron Leader (E) (Retd) with seniority from 1 January 1921.