Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. H. L. P. Lester. R.A.F.) suspension slightly loose, very fine £70-£90

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2009.

Hugh Lewis Pingo Lester was born in Shifnal, Shropshire in December 1898, and was commissioned as a Probationary Flight Officer in the Royal Naval Air Service in December 1916. He was involved in a mid-air collision whilst learning to fly at Cranwell, 12 September 1917. Lester served as a pilot from late 1917, ‘with the Fleet’ from January 1918, and from H.M.S. Furious from March 1918. He transferred to the Royal Air Force in April 1918, and served with ‘A’ Flight, 20 Squadron (Bristol F2b’s) on the North West Frontier, January 1924 - December 1925 (entitled to I.G.S. 1908-35, with ‘Waziristan 1925’ clasp).

Lester returned to the UK in the 1930’s and became a highly accomplished flying instructor. Having advanced to Flight Lieutenant, he was granted Aviators Certificate no. 10421, at No. 3 F.T.S., Grantham, 23 March 1932. He advanced to Wing Commander in June 1938, and served as Commanding Officer at R.A.F. Duxford, August 1938 - March 1940. Lester served at HQ 23 (Training) Group, South Cerney, for the remainder of his service - retiring in December 1943. He died in Northampton in April 1989.

Eight of Lester’s Log Books, as well as an archive of other material, are held by the Imperial War Museum.

Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of recipient.