A rare Great War M.M. pair awarded to Air Mechanic 1st Class W. Hewitt, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps

Military Medal, G.V.R. (47936 2 Cl. A.M. W. Hewitt, R.F.C.); British War Medal 1914-20 (47936 Cpl., R.A.F.), good very fine (2) £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the R.F.C. and R.A.F. formed by Wing Commander Bill Traynor.

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M.M. London Gazette 18 October 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘On 18 August 1917, Air Mechanic 2nd Class Hewitt was on duty in the 221st Siege Battery under heavy shelling. The Battery Commander’s Post received a direct hit and the wireless mast was blown down. Without waiting for orders, Air Mechanic 2nd Class Hewitt promptly re-erected his mast and continued his duties. His Battery Commander reports that this Wireless Operator has invariably performed his duties very efficiently under the most trying conditions.’

William Hewitt, a native of South Gosforth, entered the Royal Flying Corps as a Wireless Operator Learner in September 1916. Recommended for his M.M. by Brigadier-General T. Webb-Bowen on 24 August 1917, he was advanced to Air Mechanic 1st Class in the following month, and was transferred in the same rank to the strength of the newly established Royal Air Force in April 1918.