Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Great War A.F.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant W. G. Westcott, Royal Air Force, late Mercantile Marine and Royal Naval Air Service, a ‘very good seaplane and patrol pilot’

Air Force Cross, G.V.R., in its John Pinches fitted case of issue; British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. W. G. Westcott, R.A.F.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (William G. Westcott); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Lieut. W. G. Westcott, R.A.F.), together with a set of related dress miniature medals, these mounted as worn, good very fine and better (8) £1600-1800

A.F.C. London Gazette 2 November 1918.

William George Westcott, who was born in Wanstead, London in July 1893, qualified as a 2nd Mate in the Mercantile Marine in December 1914, and, according to his Board of Trade service record, lost his certificate of qualification as a result of enemy action on 3 November 1915 - on this date The Times records the loss of the S.S. Woolwich off Crete and the S.S. Woodfield off Morocco, both to U-Boats.

Having then passed a special signals course in May 1916, Westcott departed the Mercantile Marine for the Royal Naval Air Service, and was confirmed in the rank of Flight Sub. Lieutenant in December of the same year, after completing his pilot training at Chingford (Aviator’s Certificate No. 3721). Having then gained experience in seaplanes at Calshot and Felixstowe in the first half of 1917, Westcott transferred to R.N.A.S. Fishguard, where, over the coming months, he flew Short Seaplanes and Large American Seaplanes - among other types - his service record noting that his A.F.C. was awarded in respect of like services in No. 245 Squadron. The same source also contains regular endorsements of praise from assorted C.Os - ‘Very strongly recommended. Has been in command of ‘B’ Flight since January 1918. A capable officer, good seaplane patrol pilot.’

Placed on the Unemployed List in the rank of Lieutenant in February 1919, Westcott returned to the Mercantile Marine and obtained his Master’s Certificate (Steamships) in October 1919.

Sold with an interesting photograph album (approximately 25 images), with scenes from early days in the Mercantile Marine as a cadet in 1912, through to service at R.N.A.S. Fishguard in 1918, many captioned and including seaplanes and personnel.