Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A mounted group of eleven miniature dress medals attributed to Air Chief Marshal Sir William Gore Sutherland Mitchell, Royal Air Force - Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, 1941-44

Order of the Bath, Military Division, silver-gilt and enamel; Order of the British Empire, 1st type, Commander’s (C.B.E.) Military Division, silver-gilt and enamel, on 2nd type ribbon; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., gold and enamel, with silver-gilt top bar; Military Cross, G.V.R.; Air Force Cross, G.V.R.; 1914 Star, with clasp; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; India General Service 1908, 2 clasps, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, mounted as worn, very fine and better (11) £200-250

William Gore Sutherland was born in Sydney, Australia on 8 March 1888. He was educated at Wellington College and entered the Highland Light Infantry in 1909. Seconded to the Royal Flying Corps in 1913, he served throughout the Great War, being mentioned in despatches and awarded the M.C., D.S.O. and A.F.C. He then served in Waziristan, 1919-20 and 1922-23 and was mentioned in despatches and awarded the C.B.E. Served as Director of Training, Air Ministry, 1929-33, then Commandant R.A.F. College, Cranwell, 1933-35. Awarded the C.B. in 1935. Mitchell then served as Air Officer Commanding British Forces in Iraq, 1935-37; Air Member for Personnel on the Air Council, 1937-39; Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, R.A.F., Middle East, 1939-40, and Inspector-General of the R.A.F., 1940-41, being created a K.C.B. in 1938. Was Commandant, London Command, A.T.C. from 1942 onwards. Served as Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod at the House of Lords, 1941-44. Latterly living at Eresby House, Rutland Gate, London S.W.1, he died on 15 August 1944. With copied research.