Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

A Great War M.B.E. group of seven to Captain F. A. Swoffer, Royal Air Force

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1919; 1914 Star, with clasp (1867 Pte., 9/Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medal, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt., R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals, mounted for display, good very fine (7) £650-750

M.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919. 'Lt. (A./Capt.) (Middx. R) France).'

M.I.D. London Gazette 11 July 1919. 'Lt. (A./Capt.), M.B.E., H.Q. 5th Bde. (7th Bn. Mdx. R. (T.F.).'

Frank Arthur Swoffer was born in Islington, London on 17 March 1892 and educated at Shaftesbury School, Bisley. He attested for the 9th London Regiment on 6 August 1914 having previously served with them until 1912. With the regiment he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 4 November 1914. He received a gunshot wound to the face on 21 April 1915. 1867 Lance-Corporal Swoffer, 'A' Company, was mentioned by name in the Special Order of the Day, 28 April 1915. 'He (the commanding officer), however, wishes to call attention to the services of the undermentioned and to thank them in the name of theit battalion for the invaluable services on Hill 60 and during the operations East of the Yser Canal' [The History & Record of Queen Victoria's Rifles refers].Swoffer was discharged to a commission in the 4th/7th Middlesex Regiment on 9 August 1915. Appointed Flying Officer, Military Wing (Aeroplanes) in the Royal Flying Corps on 12 October 1916 he was again wounded two days later and wounded a third time on 30 November 1916. Promoted to Lieutenant in the Middlesex Regiment on 1 July 1917, Swoffer then saw service with No. 84 Squadron, and later 22 Wing H.Q. He ended the war as Acting Captain and Technical Officer in the Royal Air Force, being appointed to the rank on 1 April 1918. For his wartime services he was awarded the M.B.E. Post-war, he served as Flying and Observer Officer, General Duties Branch, R.A.F. from 14 November 1922 and Flying Officer, Central Flying School from 1 July 1923. He transferred to the Reserve in 1927. He was subsequently an instructor to the Hampshire Aeroplane Club and carried out demonstration tours in East Africa and China. With the approach of the Second World War he resumed his military duties as Flight Lieutenant in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch of the R.A.F. on 29 August 1939 and was promoted Squadron Leader on 1 December 1941. He retired in 1946 and died on Guernsey on 19 July the same year; his occupation given on his death certificate being 'Airport Controller'. Sold with a quantity of copied service papers, certificates and other research.