Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Western Front M.C. group of four awarded to Captain W. G. Scotcher, Royal Air Force, late East Yorkshire Regiment, who was killed whilst flying a Sopwith Camel of No. 50 Squadron in September 1918

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (2.Lieut. W. G. Scotcher. E. York. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. W. G. Scotcher); Memorial Plaque (William Goodleff Scotcher) extremely fine (5) £1,400-£1,800

M.C. London Gazette 14 November 1916:
‘For conspicuous gallantry. He commanded his platoon with great determination, when his trench was constantly being blown in by shell fire. He exposed himself freely in order to encourage his men. Though partially buried by a shell, he carried on his work as soon as extricated.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 14 November 1916.

William Goodleff Scotcher was born at Ilford, Essex, on 17 March 1890. He trained as a mechanical engineer at the East London College, London University, and served an apprenticeship of 5 years at the Great Eastern Railway Locomotive Works, Stratford. He was appointed, after previous service in the ranks of the Coldstream Guards, to a temporary commission as Second Lieutenant, East Yorkshire Regiment, on 26 February 1915. He landed at Gallipoli with the 6th East Yorkshire Regiment on 6 October 1915, remaining there until 21 December 1915, when he went to Alexandria for service in Egypt. He arrived in Marseilles on 9 July 1916, and reported for duty with the Royal Flying Corps on 20 October 1916. He transferred to the General List for service as a Flying Officer (Observer) with the Royal Flying Corps on 17 February 1917.

Captain W. G. Scotcher, by now a pilot in No. 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force, was killed in a flying accident at Bekesbourne aerodrome, near Canterbury, on 15 September 1918. Whilst flying Sopwith Camel F1 C6754, he dived in on a steep turn near the ground and crashed whilst on night practise. He is buried in Ilford Cemetery, Essex.

Sold with a quantity of copied research including RAF record of service and correspondence.