A Great War M.C. group of four to Captain W.G.B.Williams, Royal Flying Corps,
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A Great War M.C. group of four to Captain W.G.B.Williams, Royal Flying Corps,
Military Cross, G.V.R., engraved on reverse (Captn W.G.Bransby Williams R.F.C. at Buckingham Palace July 8th 1916); 1914-15 Star (2.Lieut W.G.B.Williams. R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medal (Capt W.G.B.Williams.); Memorial Plaque (William George Bransby Williams). All housed in a contemporary fitted free standing frame. Extremely fine. (Lot)
Sold for £10,810 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • M.C. London Gazette 3.6.1916.

    Sold with a collection of original ephemera as follows:

    Aviator's Certificate dated 16th February 1915, number 1084; newspaper cutting confirming his award of lience and speculation confirming him being potentially the youngest air pilot; Warrant for entry into the Royal Flying Corps Military Wing dated 7.7.1915; Scrap book of pre WW1 flying cuttings; Photograph album of general flying snapshots. Portrait photograph of him in uniform contained in leatherette frame with metal wings applied to the top. Newspaper cutting of him in uniform entitled "Pilot at 18" confirming him being gazetted a flight commander; Newspaper cutting from Daily Sketch dated 3rd June 1916 confirming his award of the Military Cross. Newspaper cutting from the Leeds Mercury dated 18.11.1916 which states the War Office forbids his return to France until he is 19 despite his award of the Military Cross; Christmas Card from 1916; Telegram dated 16th May 1917 confirming him as reported as missing. letter dated 16.1.1918 confirming there had been no POW indication and that he was unlikely to be alive; Letter confirming application of BWM and Victory Pair; Slip confirming award of 1914-15 trio; Memorial Scroll in tube. Log Book from 7th June 1915 to January 1917. A letter from Lord Brabazon of Tara written to Mr Bransby williams dated 11.5.1959 reflectring a meeting he had with W.G.B.Williams after he had literally received his wings. A Copy of the Dulwich College War Record 1914-1919. A Copy of Bransby Williams by Himself, 1954, 240pp, which he dedicated to his missing "Sonny". Miniature MC, RFC button, lapel badge and two brooches.

    Captain William George Bransby Williams was born in London on 6th January 1898, he was a pupil at Dulwich College and then at the London and Provincial Aviation Shool at Hendon. He received his Pilot's Licence aged 17. He joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1915 and was apparently known as "Side Slip Willie" on the front. He left for France in August 1915 and was involved in photography and encountered the "Hun" on several occassions, as well as Observation for the Artillery and Bombing, he returned home to the UK in April 1916, his log book annotated " Left France Thank Gawd". He then began training men in Dover. It was for his splendid work at Hohenzollern Redoubt that he was awarded the M.C. and promoted to Captain and Flight Commander, being at one time one of the youngest Captains in the British Army aged 18. He joined 18 Squadron and went back out to France with them in December 1916. He was reported as missing on the 12th May 1917 and is presumed to have been killed on that day. He is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial. His father Bransby Williams was a well known actor and comedian of the time.

Category: Coins / Coins and Banknotes

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