WWI Distinguished Flying Crosses sell alongside a CBE in London

Collectors won't want to miss this militaria auction, featuring some Davison's Nile medals

Wellington Auctions in London are holding an online sale of medals and militaria this month which will offer nearly 500 lots in a military auction.

One intriguing lot is the set of medals which belonged to Major F R E Davis of the RAF.  Alongside a British War Medal and a Victory Medal (marked to acknowledge Davis's mention in dispatches), the First World War collection includes both a CBE and an OBE.

Davis was, unusually, permitted to wear both CBE and OBE together, as they had been awarded by different branches of the awards system: the CBE as a civilian award and the OBE for his military service.

Davis, was sent to New York on 28.11.17 and attached to U.S. naval Airship Squadron, following which he was `Specially recommended for promotion for improvements in the Naval Airship Squadron of U.S., [have] been largely brought about by him'.

The piece carries an estimate of £1,550-1,850. Also appearing in the sale are two Davison's Nile Medals, one in silver (for a junior officer, with a guide price of £2,000-2,500) and one in gilt bronze (for a petty officer, estimated at £1,200-1,500).

These medals were handed out in recognition of Lord Nelson's victory in the Nile in 1798.

The medals expected to be the high-flyers at this sale however are all from First World War RAF pilots including two Distinguished Flying Cross groups:

First, Seconnd Lieutenant AT Sprangle's DFC, War Medal and Victory Medal, which is expected to achieve £3,250-3,950. Canadian Sprangle was the gunner on the plane credited with bringing down the first enemy aircraft in Battle of Amiens, September 1918.

Lieutenant Sprangle's DFC and other medals

Captain J C O Dickson, a Lancashire pilot who is mentioned a number of times in Over the Balkans & South Russia 1917-1919 is also represented by his DFC, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Defence Medal, in total offered with a guide price of £3,350-3,750.

Highest of all, however is a set of medals awarded to RAF engineer T Y Cordiner: an Air Force Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal, which are together expected to bring £3,900-4,450.

The sale takes place exclusively online and by post, with bids accepted until July 1.

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Images: Wellington Auctions