Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A post-War ‘Military Division’ O.B.E. group of six awarded to Wing Commander W. L. Milburn, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who flew during the Great War as a R.E.8 pilot with 16 Squadron, and later commanded the Durham Wing A.T.C.

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. L. Milburn. R.A.F.) BWM with minor official correction, VM erased; Defence Medal; Coronation 1953; Cadet Forces Medal, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (Act. Sqn. Ldr. W. L. Milburn. R.A.F.V.R. (T)) generally very fine (6) £280-£320

Provenance: A. Brown Collection, Spink, November 2012.

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1959.

Wilton Legender Milburn was born in Sunderland in 1899, and studied as a Dental Student at Durham University, 1915-17. Having been a member of the university O.T.C., Milburn enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps in May 1917. He was appointed as a Cadet the following month, and after training was posted as a pilot to 16 Squadron (R.E.8’s) at Bruay, France in March 1918. The Squadron was mainly tasked with reconnaissance and artillery observation. Milburn returned to the Home Establishment in January 1919, and transferred to the Unemployed List later the same month.

Milburn re-engaged as Acting Pilot Officer, Training Branch, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in February 1941. He advanced to Squadron Leader in July 1943, and was appointed Wing Commander, Officer Commanding, Durham Wing A.T.C. in November 1947 (awarded Cadet Force Medal in August 1946, and the Second Award Bar in August 1958). Milburn returned in February 1965.

Sold with several newspaper cuttings picturing recipient in uniform, and copied research.