Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War A.F.C., Serbian Order of the White Eagle group of nine miniature dress medals attributed to Wing Commander E. R. Pretyman, Royal Air Force, late Prince Albert’s Somerset Light Infantry

Air Force Cross, G.V.R.; 1914 Star, with clasp; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Serbia, Kingdom, Order of the White Eagle, 2nd type, Fifth Class breast badge, with crossed swords, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, mounted for wear, good very fine and better (9) £100-£140

Dix Noonan Webb, September 2002 (when sold alongside his father’s and brother’s miniature medals); the recipient’s full-sized medals were previously sold in these rooms (also alongside his father’s and brother’s full-sized medals) in May 1993.

A.F.C. London Gazette 3 June 1919.
The following recommendation was extracted from official sources: 'For continuous good work and devotion to duty whilst in command of No. 19 Squadron from 18th September to 5th November 1918. The efficiency of this squadron was undoubtedly due to this officer's inspiring leadership and personal example.'

M.I.D. London Gazettes 1 December 1916 and 31 December 1918.


Serbian Order of the White Eagle London Gazette 15 February 1917.

Edward Radclyffe Pretyman was born in Bombay on 29 November 1894, the second son of Major General Sir George Pretyman, K.C.M.G., C.B., Royal Artillery, and the younger brother of Lieutenant-Colonel G.F. Pretyman, D.S.O., O.B.E., Somerset Light Infantry and Royal Flying Corps. Appointed to a commission from Sandhurst in the Somerset Light Infantry on 17 September 1913, he served with them during the Great War on the Western Front, and was wounded on 26 April 1915. He was appointed Flying Officer, Royal Flying Corps, on 30 October 1915 and served in Egypt and Palestine with 17 Squadron, before being appointed Commanding Officer of No. 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force, on 24 July 1917; whilst with this Squadron he was fortunate to survive a crash landing at Abu Gander which resulted in the death of Second Lieutenant Girod. He subsequently commanded 19 Squadron in France from March to November 1918, and his services during the Great War he was twice Mentioned in Despatches. Granted a permanent commission as Flight Lieutenant on 1 August 1919, he spent the next four years in Egypt and Constantinople with 56 Squadron. Promoted Squadron Leader on 30 June 1923 and to Wing Commander on 1 July 1931. He was appointed Commanding Officer of R.A.F. Abingdon on 16 October 1936 on 1 July 1937. He was recalled to the R.A.F. at the outbreak of war in 1939 and served in charge of administration at R.A.F. Cranwell until 25 April 1942.