Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The rare immediate ‘Iraq’ M.S.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant, later Wing Commander, S. W. Blight, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (401649. Sjt. S. W. Blight. R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, privately named ‘W/Cdr. S. W. Blight R.A.F.’; Jubilee 1935, privately named ‘S. W. Blight R.A.F.’; Royal Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (401649 Sjt. S. W. Blight. R.A.F.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (401649 F/Sgt. S. W. Blight. R.A.F.) mounted for wear, nearly very fine (6) £700-900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the Royal Air Force between the Wars (1919-1939) formed by Group Captain JE Barker.

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Provenance: J. Tamplin Collection, DNW, September 2008.

M.S.M. London Gazette 10 October 1922:

‘For distinguished services rendered during active service operations in Iraq during 1920-21.’

1 of 12 M.S.M.’s awarded to the R.A.F. over a two year period for Iraq.

Samuel Wyatt Blight was born at Brownston Street, Modbury, Devon, in June 1896. He enlisted as a Gunner in the Devon Royal Garrison Artillery (T.F.) in September 1914. Blight transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an Air Mechanic 2nd Class in July 1916, and advanced to Acting Corporal by January 1918. He transferred to Royal Air Force as Corporal Mechanic in April 1918. Having advanced to Sergeant, he served in the Iraq Command from 9 March 1920 - 3 March 1922.

Blight served with the R.A.F. in Egypt, March 1922 - April 1923, during which period he remustered from Mechanic to Fitter Aero. He was posted to the Constantinople Wing to join the British forces in Turkey who had assembled in October 1922 as a result of the Chanak Crisis. Blight was promoted Flight Sergeant in April 1924, and returned to the UK at the end of the year. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. in September 1932, and advanced to Warrant Officer in May 1934.

Subsequent postings for Blight included to the Marine Experimental Establishment at Felixstowe, and with 26 Squadron (Army Co-operation) Squadron, Catterick. He was commissioned Flying Officer in October 1936, and posted for engineering duties to R.A.F. Wyton the following month. He advanced to Flight Lieutenant in October 1939, and to Temporary Wing Commander in October 1942. Blight served the majority of the Second War with the Directorate of Accident and Disposal, before he retired due to poor health in December 1944. He died at The Rest, Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon, in December 1952.