A Second World War M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer R. P. Nelson, Royal Air Force

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (364916 F./Sgt., R.A.F.), the last named in large engraved capitals, good very fine and better (7) £250-300

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.B.E. London Gazette 14 June 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘This Warrant Officer has been in charge of Flights and has set a fine example by his devotion to duty. During the many moves carried out by the Squadron he has maintained an exceptionally high standard of efficiency. At times, especially during re-equipment with Mark VII A.I fitted aircraft, he has mantained as many as 30 aircraft in the field. Warrant Officer Nelson has shown a high standard of efficiency and the fact that his flights since coming overseas have destroyed 143 enemy aircraft at night reflects great credit on the maintenance efforts he has been responsible for supervising.’

Robert Preston Nelson was awarded the M.B.E. in respect of his services in No. 600 (City of London) Squadron in the Mediterranean theatre of war - so, too, his mention in despatches (London Gazette of 1 January 1945 refers). The Squadron, a Beaufighter (and later Mosquito) unit, commanded by Wing Commander C. P. Green, D.S.O., D.F.C., fought with great distinction out of assorted airstrips in North Africa, Malta, Sicily and Italy, gaining most of its victories at night; see Twenty-One Squadrons, The History of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force 1925-1957, by Leslie Hunt, for further details and mention of Nelson’s ‘well-earned M.B.E.’

Sold with his original Buckingham Palace forwarding letter for the M.B.E., in the name of ‘Warrant Officer Robert P. Nelson, M.B.E., R.A.F.’