Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Air Mechanic W. Pickard, South African Air Force

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Africa Service, these all officially named ‘47685 W. Pickard’, together with a Royal Antideluvian Order of Buffaloes Medal, silver-gilt, hallmarks for Birmingham 1959, suspension bar engraved ‘Royal Services Lodge 6638’, reverse engraved ‘Primo. W. Pickard. 25.9.60’, generally very fine (6) £30-£40

William Pickard was born in Pietermaritzburg, in September 1914. He enlisted in the South African Air Force as Air Mechanic in December 1939. Postings included: 21 and 25 Air School; 1 AD; No 1 Fighter Squadron; 113 M.U.; 134 Salvage Unit; 70 O.T.U., RAF Helwan and No.1 A.T.S. He spent 24 days AWOL, and 28 days in Detention. Pickard was discharged, 9 November 1945.