Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Flight Lieutenant A. W. Phillips, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force, a seaplane pilot operating from Dunkirk, who was shot down whilst bombing an enemy destroyer, 24 September 1917. He was picked up by the ship, and taken prisoner of war - being subsequently mentioned in despatches for gallantry whilst in captivity

1914-15 Star (Wt. Tel. A. W. Phillips, R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Flt. S. Lt. A. W. Phillips. R.N.A.S.) generally good very fine (3) £300-£400

M.I.D. London Gazette 16 December 1919:

‘For gallantry whilst Prisoners of War in escaping, or attempting to escape, from captivity, or for valuable services rendered in the prison camps of the enemy.’

Alfred Walter Phillips was born in December 1895, and was a native of Golders Green. He served as a Warrant Telegraphist with the Royal Naval Reserve prior to transferring to the Royal Naval Air Service in November 1916. Phillips trained as a seaplane pilot, and was stationed at R.N.A.S. Calshot, Killingholme and Dover before being posted for operational flying from Dunkirk.

Phillips was carrying out a bombing raid on an enemy destroyer, 24 September 1917, when ‘a shell burst under port wing, flying shrapnel struck engine and put it out of control.’ (Service papers refer). Phillips was forced down into the sea, and was picked up by the ship along with his Observer Chief Petty Officer E. A. Boyd. Both were taken prisoner of war, and interned in Germany.

Phillips transferred to the Royal Air Force in April 1918, and was repatriated to the UK in December of the same year. He served with the carrier H.M.S. Ark Royal after the war.

Sold with copied research, including photographic image of recipient in uniform.