Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The rare ‘G.V.R.’ Military Division B.E.M. group of five awarded to Vernon wireless operator Aircraftman 2nd Class W. Howson, Royal Air Force, for his distinguished service during a crash in Iraq on the Desert Route, 16 October 1922 - his B.E.M. being one of the first 3 awards gazetted to the R.A.F.

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.V.R. (No. 330130 Aircraftman 2nd Cl. William Howson. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted on card for display, first worn, good fine, remainder very fine or better (5) £800-£1,000

B.E.M. London Gazette 3 June 1927. The original recommendation states:

‘This airman was wireless operator of a Vickers Vernon machine which crashed on the Desert Route on the 16th October 1922. He was pinned in the wreckage and when released was unconscious and very severely shaken. On regaining consciousness he immediately erected his ground set, and although in a dazed condition worked throughout the day, repairing his instruments and endeavouring to get in touch with Amman. He eventually succeeded in picking up messages from both Baghdad and Amman.’

Fewer that 200 G.V.R. B.E.M.’s were awarded to all military personnel, of which only 38 were awarded to the R.A.F.

William Howson resided at 9 Radnor Drive, Wallasey, Merseyside in later life, and provided the following typed biography of his service career in August 1978:

‘I joined the R.A.F. in 1919. I was an apprentice of Campbell and Isherwood’s after serving a 2 years’ course of instruction at Toxteth Technical Institute. I broke my apprenticeship and then was posted to Halton where I received a Recruit’s Training. I then was posted to Flowerdown near Winchester where I was U/T Wireless Operator. I passed out with 84.5%. Then was posted to Uxbridge en route for overseas.

I then went to Egypt via the Teutonic where I was posted to 56 Squadron while waiting posting. I then went to 70 Squadron and after a while there I was posted to Egypt Group Headquarters for a refresher course... The Group Signal’s Officer prevailed on me to go to Helwan (instead of my returning to 70 Squadron) where 47 Squadron was, in order to get the W/T Office removed and situated in the Headquarters Block.

I then went to 45 Squadron serving at Helwan, and then at Almaza, and then at Hinaidi, I was first of all on the Vimy, and then on Vernons, both made by the Vicker’s Company. I was on the Vernon which attended the Prince of Wales when he went through the Suez Canal. I was on the rearguard when we went to Deolali, and then up the Persian Gulf to Basra, we then set out by train to Baghdad, and then on to Hinaidi.

I was there under S/Ldr Murray, and after a while the C/O was moved, and the new C/O was S/Ldr Harris (afterwards called Bomber Harris) and the Flight Commanders were F/Lt The Hon. Ralph Cochrane [later Air Chief Marshal], and F/Lt Saunby. While there I flew to Kirkuk, and Mosul, and afterwards to Heliopolis on two occasions. I was on one when we crashed. It was a memorable occasion. We landed at Gaza, when we had engine trouble. After we had fitted a new pressure gauge we set off to Ziza. We then took off in company with one of 70 Squadron and we had a forced landing at L.G.I. when we had engine trouble again. We lost some aircraft at L.G.I. they D.H.9.A. We had some engine fitters with us and they decided we were due for an engine change. I went on with 70 Squadron and after we had transferred my W/T gear and the Airmail we took off. We could not get height owing to the load and the atmosphere. We had a passenger on board, a Brigadier General Dobbin, who on passing a message to me caught the...

We had a couple of casualties. One of these was the pilot he had a back strain, and the other one was me. I had a blow on the head and it caused me temporary loss of memory. I do not know what happened to this day. When I recovered I rigged up an aerial after finding some of where it was strewn across the desert, and got in touch with Amman. They sent a doctor out and he landed at L.G.5. and made the way to us over the desert. We finally got the tenders out, and made the way back to base with the engines and the Airmail, and the passenger... On the Brigadier’s recommendation I was recommended for the B.E.M... I gained my L.A.C.... in 1 July 1923....’ (Copy included with lot).

On cessation of awards of the R.A.F. M.S.M., it was decided to recognise special distinguished and meritorious service of a high standard by the Medal of the British Order (Military) - subsequently known as the British Empire Medal. The first 3 awards to the R.A.F. were gazetted on 3 June 1927 - A.C.2. Howson being one of these. Howson states that the passenger in the aircraft was one Brigadier H.. W. Dobbin - who at the time was Colonel Commandant of the Iraq Levies.