Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare and well-documented Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Corporal E. R. Bidewell, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps

Military Medal, G.V.R. (7467 1/Cl. A.M. - A. Cpl. E. R. Bidewell, R.A.F.); British War and Victory Medals (7467 Cpl. E. R. Bidewell, R.A.F.), mounted as worn, somewhat polished, nearly very fine or better (3) £1600-1800

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

M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918.

Ernest Robert Bidewell, who was born in August 1894 and from Forest Gate in Essex, enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps in August 1915 and was embarked for France in the following year. He subsequently served on the strength of No. 16 Squadron, attached 43rd Battery, and in No. 35 Squadron, attached XIX Corps Heavy Artillery, and it was in this latter capacity that he was awarded his M.M. Bidewell, who was serving on the strength of No. 25 Squadron at the time of his discharge in April 1919, died in April 1972.

The following communication from H.Q., 1st Wing Intelligence, R.F.C. to the O.C. of 16 Squadron, dated 17 April 1917, is indicative of the type of work undertaken by Bidewell - the original of which is included and marked for his attention:

‘The success which our neutralising fire achieved against the enemy batteries during the recent attack of the First Army, appear to have been largely due to the efficient working of the Zone Call system. This indicates not only good work by pilots and observers in the air, but unremitting care and hard work on the part of your Wireless Officers, Wireless Mechanics and Operators, on whose co-operation this system is based. The very high percentage of Zone calls received at the Batteries, is a fine tribute to the skill and devotion to duty displayed by all concerned.

The G.O.C., 1st Brigade, Royal Flying Corps, to whom I submitted a report on this matter, has expressed to me his satisfaction and appreciation of the efforts that all ranks of the wireless personnel are obviously making, and I shall be glad if you will convey his congratulations and my own, to all of them who are under your command. They play a part in the co-operation between the Royal Artillery and the Royal Flying Corps, which is becoming increasingly important as operations develop, and despite the inherent difficulties which are bound to occur, I confidently look to them for the same devotion and skill in the future.’

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including G.O.C. Fourth Army congratulatory certificate for the award of the M.M., dated 26 May 1918; R.A.F. Record Office forwarding letter for the M.M., dated 14 June 1919; illuminated patriotic display certificate, stating ‘E. R. Bidewell, 7467, of This House is Serving King and Country in the Royal Flying Corps, 1915’; Second Army order, dated 17 July 1916, addressed to the C.O. of No. 16 Squadron, informing him and his personnel to be cautious regarding new types of German gas shells, the top of the sheet with inscription, ‘Confidential - not to be taken in the front line trenches’; Routine Orders, dated “In the Field”, 9 October 1916, with congratulatory message for Wireless Operators from the G.O.C. - commenting on their long hours served under fire; H.Q., 1st Wing Intelligence, R.F.C., congratulatory message for the good work of Wireless Operators, dated 17 April 1917, with hand written inscription at top, ‘Bidewell, Wireless Operator, 43rd Battery’; official authority ‘to visit Brigades and Batteries in the Corps H.A. for the purpose of obtaining information and arranging co-operation with the R.F.C.’, issued by the Brigade Major, XIX Corps Heavy Artillery, in the name of ‘Cpl. Bidewell 7467’ and dated 31 March 1918; four Great War period photographs, including studio portrait of the recipient in uniform; Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity, issued at Purfleet on 22 March 1919, confirming Bidewell’s final unit as No. 25 Squadron; Certificate of Transfer to the Reserve, dated 19 April 1919; G.O.C., R.A.F. message of thanks for services rendered, printed card, signed by a Lieutenant for the O.C. of 25 Squadron; and a Home Office Whitehall Pass, issued by Winston Churchill’s office, for 23 June 1911, ink inscribed, ‘Room 31, Basement’ and ‘Side Window’, with printed reminder, ‘Ladies are specially requested not to wear large hats’.