Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Italian Offensive M.C. group of six awarded to Captain Percy Wilson, No. 28 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, a Sopwith Camel ‘Ace’ with seven confirmed Victories in Italian skies for which he was also awarded the Al Valore Militare
Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (54064 Cpl., R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt., R.A.F.); France, Croix de Guerre, with bronze palm; Italy, Al Valore Militare, bronze (Percy Wilson, Piave, Trentino, Diverno 1917-18) very fine and better (6)

M.C. London Gazette 16 September 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in destroying six enemy aeroplanes and driving down three more out of control. He also destroyed an enemy balloon, which fell in flames.’

Percy Wilson was born in Cheshire on 11 April 1895, and joined the colours in 1914. After training at Bulford, Salisbury Plain, he went to France as a motor despatch rider in the Royal Engineers. He joined 28 Squadron R.F.C. in November 1917, accompanying this Sopwith Camel unit to Italy, where he was promoted to Flight Commander in April 1918. He was awarded the M.C. and Italian Bronze Medal for Military Valour, claiming seven victories including a balloon. On 3 May, 1918, he shot down one of five enemy scouts that were escorting an Aviatik two-seater, while on the 11th, when escorting an RE 8 of 34 Squadron, he and Lieutenant O. W. Frayne each claimed an Albatros shot down when these attempted to attack their charge. In April 1919 he served with 79 Squadron in Germany.