The Upfill-Brown Collection

A Great War A. F. C., Second World War C.B.E. group to Air CommodoreJ. J. Williamson, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps

THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, C.B.E. (Military), 2nd type neck badge in silver-gilt and enamel, in case of issue; AIR FORCE CROSS, G.V.R., unnamed; 1914-15 STAR (Pte., Manch. R.); BRITISH WAR and VICTORYMEDALS (Capt., R.A.F.); KHEDIVE'S SUDAN 1910-21, no clasp (2A. M., R. F. C.); Greece, ORDER OF THE REDEEMER, 5th class breast badge, in silver and enamel, reverse centre piece lacking and chipped; Iraq, KING FEISAL'S WAR MEDAL, mounted court style for display excepting the first, about very fine and better (8)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The AA Upfill-Brown Collection.

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A.F.C., London Gazette, 8 February 1919.
C.B.E., London Gazette, 1 January, 1946, original recommendation states: 'This officer commands No. 9 A. O. S. During last summer his station was attacked by enemy bomberson 4different occasions and considerable damage was done. Owing very largely to Group Captain Williamson's personal influence and example, the morale of the personnel remained of the highest order, and there was no loss of training efficiency. In spite of his exacting duties as a commander of a large unit he has found time to maintain himself as an efficient and able pilotand he is an example in this respect to his juniors. During his tour of appointment 2,846 air observer and air gunner trainees have passed through his hands. '

Air Commodore James John Williamson was born in 1895 and initially served in the ranks of the Manchester Regiment following the commencement of hostilities in 1914. Sometime in 1916 he transferred into the R. F. C., his entitlement to the Sudan Medal being confirmed on official records, and in July 1917 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. The following August he was graded as a Flying Officer, although he would not appear to have flown operationally, for a few months later he is recorded as being an Assistant Instructor at 196 Squadron Aerial Fighting School at Heliopolis. His A. F. C. and Greek Redeemer were both gazetted in 1919. He remained a regular between the wars, receiving promotion to Group Captain in 1940 and to Air Commodore in 1944, shortly before his retirement.