Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine post-war ‘Palestine Operations’ General Service Medal awarded to Master Pilot B. N. Edwards, Royal Air Force, who was recognised for Bravery by the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society in 1939 when just fifteen years of age, and was later awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in 1970

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (1451461 P.II. B. N. Edwards. R.A.F.) nearly extremely fine, scarce to rank £100-£140

Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air London Gazette 30 December 1970.

Bryan Noel Edwards was born in Chester on 25 December 1923, the son of Charles Cadogan Edwards. Educated at Roan School, Greenwich, he caught the attention of the Cheshire Observer on 30 December 1939:

‘Boy’s Double Rescue – Presented with Life Saving Certificate
Bryan Noel Edwards, a 15-years old school boy, staying with his aunt at the White House Hotel, Dee Banks, Chester, was this morning presented, in the City Police Court, with a life-saving certificate of the Royal Shipwreck and Humane Society [sic], for rescuing two people from drowning in the Dee... He heard the woman shout for help and then saw another swimmer go in to help her. Edwards then jumped into the White House Ferry boat and rowed across the river to the woman and threw her a lifebuoy. On his arrival, the woman and the other swimmer were on the point of exhaustion, and there was no doubt that but for the timely act of Edwards, both would have been drowned. Edwards towed the two persons to the bank, where they were assisted.’

Returning home to London following his holiday, Edwards appears to have joined the Royal Air Force around 1941-42 and later served in the British Mandate of Palestine during the State of Emergency between 27 September 1945 and 30 June 1948. Awarded the GSM and clasp Palestine, the medal bears his rank as ‘P.II’; a rare rank to N.C.O. aircrew, equivalent to Sergeant Pilot, which existed between August 1947 and August 1950.

Advanced Master Pilot, Edwards was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in 1970. Retired to Caernarvon, he died in May 1998.