Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Great War M.B.E. group of six awarded to Squadron Leader J. W. Hosking, Royal Air Force, late Royal Naval Air Service, also a recipient of the Greek Medal of Military Merit and “mentions” for South Russia 1919 and Somaliland 1920

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1919; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1920, M.I.D. oakleaf (F./O. J. W. Hosking, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals; Greece, Military Medal of Merit 1916-1917, generally very fine or better (6)
£1200-1500

M.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1919: ‘For services in connection with the War.’

Mention in despatches London Gazette 22 December 1919: ‘For distinguished services overseas’ (South Russia).

Mention in despatches London Gazette 12 July 1920: ‘For distinguished service in the Field’ (Somaliland).

Greek Military Medal of Merit London Gazette 15 July 1919.

James Walter Hosking was born in Liskeard, Cornwall in June 1888 and originally entered the Royal Navy as an Engine Room Artificer 4th Class in November 1909. Several seagoing appointments having followed, he was serving as a Chief Petty Officer (Mechanic) on attachment to Pembroke by the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914.

In February 1915, he appears to have joined a Royal Naval Air Service unit in France, his service record further revealing his subsequent postings to the Dardanelles and Eastern Mediterranean, in which theatre of war he served in 63 and 64 Wings, latterly in the Aegean, work that may have involved service as an Observer over and above his normal technical duties. Be that as it may, it was for this period of the War that he was eventually awarded his Greek Medal of Military Merit.

Returning home in January 1917, as a recently promoted Warrant Officer, he was ordered to Dunkirk, but would appear to have been re-embarked for the Mediterranean later in the same year. Described by one C.O. as a ‘brilliant engineer’, he was commissioned in the newly established Royal Air Force in April 1918 - and, of course the recipient of a 1914-15 Star trio, the whereabouts of which remain unknown.

Of his subsequent service in South Russia little is known - other than the fact he was mentioned in despatches - but a recommendation for special promotion by Group Captain Robert Gordon, C.M.G., D.S.O., commanding the Somaliland Expedition in 1920, adds some detail to his duties in that theatre of war:

‘For exceptional good work and devotion to duty on the engines and machines of the unit both before and during operations. Any success which has been attained is due to this officer’s work, high ability and example. His great skill and practical knowledge of engines, combined with his untiring energy and skill in handling men, has overcome difficulties which at times appeared almost unsurmountable.’

Once more the recipient of a “mention”, he was indeed promoted, and became one of 220 R.A.F. personnel to be awarded the rare “Somaliland 1920” clasp.

Active service in South Russia and Somaliland behind him, Hosking served in Iraq and the Middle East as a Flight Lieutenant (Technical Staff Duties) in the early 1920s, and returned to the U.K. in 1925. Thereafter, he was employed at the Reception Depot at West Drayton, prior to being placed on the Retired List in June 1933.

Recalled in the 1939-45 War, he attained the rank of Squadron Leader prior to being placed back on the Retired List in November 1945.