Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The C.B.E., D.S.C. group of thirteen awarded to Air Vice-Marshal C. W. Nutting, Royal Air Force, late Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, in case of issue; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) 1st type breast badge; Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., the reverse hallmarked London 1915, and privately inscribed ‘Lieut. C. W. Nutting, Flanders 1916’; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. C. W. Nutting, R.N.V.R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Commr. C. W. Nutting, R.N.V.R.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (S/L. C. W. Nutting, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, the pre-WW2 medal mounted as worn, together with Naval Officers’ sword, the blade etched ‘C. W. Nutting 1915’, mounted group of 12 miniatures, large portrait photograph and various Second War passes, generally good very fine (26) £2000-2500

C.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 11 July 1940.

D.S.C. London Gazette 22 JUne 1916: ‘In recognition of services as aeroplane observer and continuous good work whilst attached to a Wing of the Royal Naval Air Service at Dunkirk.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 28 October 1921 (Iraq).

Charles William Nutting was born on 15 April 1889. He was appointed temporary Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 30 March 1915, and posted as W/T Officer to No. 1 Wing R.N.A.S. at Dunkirk. As a signals specialist he was an innovator in wireless telegraphy for aircraft and was responsible for providing wireless communication for the aircraft serving aboard the seaplane carrier H.M.S. Riviera, sister ship to H.M.S. Engadine. He transferred to the Royal Air Force in April 1918, and in August 1919 was appointed to the Air Staff - Communications, HQ Middle East Area, as Squadron Leader. In January 1920 he was appointed to the Technical Staff, HQ Mesopotamian Wing. Promoted to Wing Commander in January 1926, he was the first Station Commander of Hal Far R.A.F. base in Malta, where he arrived in May 1929. He was Officer Commanding No. 3 Flying Training School from December 1932, was promoted to Group Captain in January 1933, and to Air Commodore and Director of Signals, Air Ministry, in April 1937. He was appointed Air Vice-Marshal and Director-General of Signals in January 1941, and retired from active service in August 1942. He was afterwards telecommunications adviser to the Minister Resident in the Middle East, where he appears to have remained until the end of the war. Air Vice-Marshal Nutting died on 25 February 1964.