Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce inter-war ‘Iraq’ 1922 D.F.M., ‘Civil Division’ B.E.M. group of three awarded to Leading Aircraftman A. E. White, 55 Squadron, Royal Air Force, mentioned in despatches for operations as part of the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force in 1921

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.V.R. (159127. L.A.C. A. E. White. R.A.F.); British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Albert E. White); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq, M.I.D. Oak Leaves (159127 L.A.C. A. E. White. R.A.F.) mounted as originally worn, generally very fine (3) £2,400-£2,800

D.F.M. London Gazette 6 June 1924:

‘For distinguished service rendered during operations in Iraq in 1922.’

B.E.M. London Gazette 8 June 1950 (Skilled Fitter, Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company Ltd. Chippenham Wiltshire).

M.I.D. London Gazette 28 October 1921:

‘For distinguished service in a despatch received from Lieutenant-General Sir J. A. L. Haldane, K.C.B., D.S.O., General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force.’

Albert Edward White was born in Wallington, Surrey, and joined the Royal Flying Corps as a Boy in January 1918. He was remustered as a Fitter, A.C.2. in January 1919, and posted as A.C.1 to 55 Squadron in February 1920. The Squadron formed part of Q Force in Mesopotamia from July 1920:

‘Throughout July - August [1920] the average availability of aircraft was merely six Bristols F2Bs and five RE8s on 6 Squadron, with three DH9As and two RE8s from 30 Squadron, although the RE8s were seldom used and the DH9As fully employed keeping communications open with Samawah. Operations were to continue apace until the end of 1920 by when two more squadrons entered the arena. No. 84 Squadron was reformed at Baghdad with DH9As in August 1920 and commenced operations immediately by relieving 6 Squadron of its task of co-operation with the Samawah garrison from Baghdad, then in the following month moved base to Shaibah which was to become 84’s spiritual home for the next two decades. In September 1920 too No. 55 Squadron, reformed at Suez on 1 February 1920 with DH9s and DH9As initially and serving in Turkey by July, moved to Baghdad to replace 84 Squadron. Thus, by December 1920, operations flown by all four squadrons since June amounted to: total hours flown 4,008; total weight of bombs dropped 97 1/2 tons; total rounds SAA fired 183,861.’ (RAF Operations 1918-1938, by C. Bowyer refers)

White was reclassified as Leading Aircraftman in April 1921.

14 D.F.M.s in total were awarded for operations in Iraq between 1922-1929, 5 of which were awarded in 1922.