Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Wing Commander R. H. Stocken, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps and City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders), who served as a Test Pilot for de Havilland and Gloster, and was Deputy Master of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators

1914-15 Star (1932. Pte. R. Stocken. C. of Long. Yeo.); British War and Victory Medals (2/Lieut. R. H. Stocken. R.F.C.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; together with a large Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators Deputy Master’s neck badge, gilt and enamel, in Fattorini case of issue, good very fine (7) £400-£500

Reginald Herbert ‘Rex’ Stocken was born on 11 June 1893 and joined the City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders) in 1912. He served with them during the Great War in Egypt from 7 May 1915, before being commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps on 15 March 1916. Joining 56 Squadron as a Pilot in 1917, he served at home, combating the increasing number of Zeppelin and Gotha raids, and was involved in a notable incident on 22 August 1917 when, on a daylight sortie, his radiator burst soon after takeoff, although he was fortunately able to get down unscathed.

In the inter-War years Stocken served a a Test and Delivery Pilot at Croydon, and then as an Instructor at the Central Flying School, Upavon. During the 1930s he served as a Test Pilot for de Havilland and Gloster, in addition to organising the I. of M. International Air Races. He also served as Deputy Master of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators from 1938 to 1944. Recalled to the Royal Air Force for the duration of the Second World War, he finally retired with the rank of Wing Commander, and died in 1983.

Sold together with a number of invitations, dinner menus, Schneider Trophy Race passes, and other ephemera; and copied research.