Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Great War M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant W. Windebank, Royal Air Force, late 12th Lancers and Royal Flying Corps

Military Medal, G.V.R. (104631 Cpl. Mech. W. Windebank, R.A.F.); 1914 Star, with clasp (5933 Pte. W. Windibank, 12/Lrs.), note spelling of surname; British War and Victory Medals (104631 Cpl. W. Windebank, R.A.F.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., coinage bust (104631 Sgt. W. Windebank, R.A.F.), contact marks and a little polished, nearly very fine or better (5) £1600-1800

Just 92 Military Medals were awarded to members of the Royal Air Force in the Great War.

M.M. London Gazette 8 November 1918.

William Windebank, a native of Guildford, was born in Hampshire in September 1886 and enlisted in the 12th Lancers in December 1905. Mobilised with his regiment on the outbreak of hostilities, he was embarked for France, and no doubt shared in his regiment’s “hour of glory” at Cerizy on 28 August 1914 and subsequently in the action at Wytschaete on the last day of October. Returning to an appointment at Aldershot in April 1915, he was tried by District Court Martial in June 1916 and awarded 56 days in detention, though 42 of them were remitted on account of his time under arrest awaiting trial.

Windebank was subsequently the subject of a compulsory transfer to the Royal Flying Corps in September 1917, in which capacity he joined the strength of No. 59 Squadron in March 1918, an Army co-operation unit engaged on reconnaissance and bombing duties. As verified by Windebank’s service record, he was re-mustered as a Corporal Wireless Operator in the same year (AMWO 1483/18 refers), so his subsequent award of the M.M. was almost certainly in respect of gallant deeds under fire while liaising with the Royal Artillery and his own squadron. Post-war, he was advanced to Sergeant in July 1922, awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in June 1926, and discharged in December 1929, his place of residence then being in Margate, Kent.