Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare post-War ‘military division’ O.B.E. group of six awarded to Group Captain, late Warrant Officer, W. A. H. Cullum, Royal Air Force and Royal Indian Air Force, who was twice mentioned in despatches for services during the Second World War, and served as Chief Signals Officer for the newly independent Royal Indian Air Force, 1947-50

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type, breast badge, silver-gilt; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (W/O. W. A. Cullum. R.A.F.); Indian Independence 1947 (35201 Gp. Capt. W. A. H. Cullum, R.A.F.) mounted for display on card, light contact marks overall, therefore very fine (6) £600-£800

O.B.E. London Gazette 2 January 1950, the original recommendation states (signed by Air Marshal T. W. Elmhirst, the Commander in Chief R.I.A.F., A.H.Q. New Delhi, India):

‘Group Captain Cullum is now performing the duties of Director of Signals and Radar (i.e. Chief Signals Officer) for the Royal Indian Air Force. He has carried out these duties for the 2 years that the Indian Air Force has been in being as an independent Service.

In the performance of his duties Group Captain Cullum has done outstanding successful work quite beyond which would be expected of a normal Wing Commander of the R.A.F. Signals Branch.

During the period he has been its head the Indian Air Force Signals branch has had to be built up from new foundations. This work has included the provision of a Point to Point Wireless Signal Service, “Line” Signals Services, Radar Services and the training of officers and men. In addition “Field” Signals Services have had to be arranged for the Air Force operating in Kashmir, Hyderabad and Kathiawar.

All this work, which has been well done, has entailed the closest co-operation with the Signals departments of the Indian Army, Civil Aviation, Posts and Telegraphs, etc. Group Captain Cullum has made and maintained the friendliest co-operation with these other departments.

I consider that Group Captain Cullum’s work has been of great value to the Indian Government and Air Force and as such also has reflected credit on the Royal Air Force Signals Branch and I strongly recommend him for the award of the Order of the British Empire, grade of Officer (Military).’

M.I.D. London Gazette 11 July 1940 and 1 January 1941.

W. A. H. Cullum was born in July 1901. He joined the Royal Air Force and advanced to Warrant Officer in April 1936 (awarded L.S. & G.C. in March 1937). Cullum served as Squadron Warrant Officer with 74 Squadron at Hal Far from November 1935. He was posted to R.A.F. Grantham (5 Bomber Group) in October 1937, and commissioned Flying Officer in March 1938. Cullum was posted to R.A.F. Mount Batten (16 Reconn. Group) in July of the same year, advanced to Flight Lieutenant and was M.I.D. twice during the Second World War.

Cullum advanced to Wing Commander in July 1947, and was attached as Acting Group Captain to the Royal Indian Air Force, August 1947 - January 1950. Having returned to the UK, Cullum was posted as Wing Commander Signals, Air Staff, H.Q. Maintenance Command, Andover in November 1950. He was subsequently employed as Wing Commander Training (Ground), Home Command at White Waltham. Cullum was employed as a Technical Officer with the Ordnance Board in 1958, and died in October 1958.

The Indian Independence Medal is rare to the Royal Air Force, and especially so to such a high ranking officer. It is quite exceptional for men from the ranks to rise to the rank of Group Captain, and rarer still to see this reflected in the naming of their medals.

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