A rare Great War Hedjaz operations M.S.M. group of five awarded to Air Mechanic 1st Class J. F. Wilder, who was also mentioned in despatches for his services as a member of ‘C’ Flight, No. 14 Squadron, which unit famously acted in direct support of Lawrence of Arabia’s early operations

1914-15 Star (8268 A.M. 2 J. F. Wilder, R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (8268 A.M. 1 J. F. Wilder, R.A.F.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (8268 A.M. 1 J. F. Wilder, No. 14 Sqn. R.F.C.); Imperial Service Medal, G.V.R., robed bust (John Frazer Wilder), good very fine or better (5) £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Ron Penhall Collection: Important Awards and Memorabilia of Lawrence of Arabia Interest.

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M.S.M. London Gazette 29 August 1917:

‘In recognition of valuable services with the armies in the Field during the present war.’

John Frazer Wilder, who was born in Hampstead in 1872, enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps in September 1915, and was quickly embarked for Egypt, where he arrived in November of the same year as a newly appointed Air Mechanic 2nd Class. A Telegraphist by trade, he may well have been employed on wireless duties.

Posted to ‘C’ Flight, No. 14 Squadron, he would have been embarked with the first Hedjaz Expedition in late 1916, the Squadron having been selected to support the irregular Sharifian ground forces and one Captain T. E. Lawrence. And over the coming months the skills of men like Wilder were much to the fore, often in very trying conditions. Re-mustered to H.Q. No. 5 Wing in June 1917, he was awarded the M.S.M. and was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 17 September 1917 refers).

Wilder appears to have remained employed in Egypt and at Mudros for the remainder of the War, and was discharged to the R.A.F. Reserve in April 1920. He did, however, add the Imperial Service Medal to his accolades for his services as an Overseer in the London Postal Service (London Gazette 19 August 1932 refers); sold with an original R.A.F. Records Office communication regarding the recipient’s ‘mention”, dated 23 September 1932, together with a related registered envelope, and a file of research.