Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War M.C. group of five awarded to Wing Commander R. M. Trevethan, a 13 victory ‘Ace’ with 20 Squadron Royal Flying Corps, and mentioned in despatches for North Russia

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse inscribed ‘R. M. Trevethan, R.F.C. 20th Squadron, July 1917’; 1914-15 Star (2.Lieut., S.Lan.R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. (Lieut., R.A.F.); Russian Order of St Anne, 2nd class neck badge with swords by Edouard, in gold and enamels, good very fine (5)

M.C. London Gazette 17 September 1917. ‘T./2nd Lt. Richard Michael Trevethan, Gen. List and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when on offensive patrols. He has continuously displayed the greatest dash and determination in attacking enemy formations, regardless of their superiority in numbers, and has shot down at least four, driving others down out of control.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 22 December 1919 (North Russia).

Order of St Anne, 2nd class with swords, confirmed by PRO records, for services with ‘Syren’ Force. He appears in a list signed by Major General Skobe Itzin, commanding troops in the Murmansk district.

Richard Michael Trevethan, a member of an old Falmouth family, was educated at Falmouth Grammar School, Portsmouth Grammar School, and Imperial College of Science, London. In 1913 he was nominated for the Paymaster branch of the Royal Navy, but subsequently obtained a commission in the South Lancashire Regiment and was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. He flew in France as an FE2D pilot with 20 Squadron, quickly making a name for himself. He claimed his first kill on 2 June, 1917, and in a little over 3 months brought his total to 13 enemy Albatros scouts destroyed or driven down out of control. At least nine of these kills were made with his regular Observer, Lieutenant C. A. Hoy. Trevethan was presented with his Military Cross in the field by General Sir Herbert Plumer on 17 August 1917, but on 18 September, flying one of the new two-seater Bristol fighters with which the Squadron had been re-equipped, he was wounded, bringing his successful run to an end. He returned to England to recover from his wounds and does not appear to have flown again during the war. In 1919, however, Trevethan served in North Russia as part of the combined British ‘Syren’ Force, being mentioned in despatches and awarded the Order of St Anne.

After the war, Trevethan specialised in meteorology, became Senior Meteorological Officer, Iraq, 1926-29, carrying out a vital role in the forging of links between Iraq and Britain. From 1930-33 he commanded the Reconnaissance Squadron, Far East, H.M.S. Hermes, and then commanded the Flying and Parachute Test Squadron, Home Aircraft Depot, 1934-35. In 1937 he left the R.A.F., having been appointed Air Advisor to the Kwantung Government in China, but was attached to the Admiralty during the second world war, serving as mate and second officer in Royal Navy small ships.

Wing Commander Trevethan held the speed record in service aircraft for non-stop flight from Scotland to the South Coast for 11 years, and was also the unbeaten wrestling champion of all three Forces, and also boxing champion of the R.A.F. for a time. He became a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and for many years was Superintendent of Falmouth Observatory. He died at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, aged 76 years. Sold with further research including copies of Combat Reports, one of which indicates that Trevethan was in a dog fight with Richthofen’s squadron.