A Collection of Awards to the Royal Air Force between the Wars (1919-1939) formed by Group Captain JE Barker

Seven: Group Captain C. W. Attwood, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who served as a R.E.8 and F.K.8 pilot during the Great War, and as Chief Signals Officer, HQ No. 16 (Reconnaissance) Group, Coastal Command, during the Second War

1914-15 Star (242 Sjt. C. W. Attwood. R,F,C.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. C. W. Attwood. R.F.C.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Kurdistan (F/L. C. W. Attwood. R.A.F.); Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, generally nearly very fine or better (7) £280-320

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the Royal Air Force between the Wars (1919-1939) formed by Group Captain JE Barker.

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Provenance: N. Gooding Collection, Christie’s, March 1990.

Charles William Attwood was born at 129 Victoria Street, Gillingham, Kent, in September 1891. He attested as a Sapper for the Royal Engineers in September 1909, and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in July 1912. He served as Sergeant during the Great War with 7 Squadron in the French theatre of war from 2 April 1915. Attwood was selected for pilot training, and gained his Royal Aeronautical Club Flying Certificate No. 4259, 17 February 1917. He was graded 1st Class Pilot (Sergeant), and subsequently commissioned Second Lieutenant in November 1917.

Attwood was posted as a pilot for operational flying to 8 Squadron (R.E.8’s), Mons-en-Chaussée, in November 1917. He transferred to 35 Squadron (F.K.8’s), Estree-en-Chaussée, in December of the same year. He flew on Artillery observation and photographic sorties with the Squadron before returning to the UK in January 1918. Attwood transferred to the Royal Air Force as Lieutenant Aeroplane Officer in April 1918, and then advanced to Flying Officer in August 1919.

After a brief posting to 11 Squadron, Attwood joined No. 1 Wireless School, Flowerdown, under instruction in September 1919. He completed the first Officers Long Signals Course and was posted to HQ Inland Area, Hillingdon House Uxbridge, before going on to No. 5 Technical Training School. Subsequent postings between 1920-21 included to the RAF Cadet College, Cranwell and 100 Squadron in Ireland.

Attwood was posted overseas to join 55 Squadron at Mosul in August 1921, before being moved three months later to HQ Iraq Group, Baghdad, for wireless duties. He advanced to Flight Lieutenant in January 1923, and moved to HQ Egyptian Group, Heliopolis, at the end of the year. Attwood served with 216 Squadron, Heliopolis, 1925-26, before returning to the UK to join HQ Inland Area UK, Stanmore, in May 1926. He served at the School of Army Co-operation, Old Sarum, before being posted to HQ Aden Command, Steamer Point, for signals duties from March 1928. Attwood commanded the Wireless Station in Ismailia, Middle East Command, 1930-34, during which time he was promoted to Squadron Leader.

Having returned to the UK, subsequent appointments for Attwood included the command of 102 Squadron, and Chief Signals Officer, HQ No. 16 (Reconnaissance) Group, Lee-on-Solent, within Coastal Command, from May 1937. He was promoted Wing Commander in July of the same year, and was serving in the same capacity at the outbreak of the Second War. Attwood advanced to Temporary Group Captain in June 1940, and retired 1 September 1941. He was immediately re-employed ‘For the Duration of the War’, and eventually discharged 15 May 1945. Attwood died at 20 Catherine Road, Surbiton, in January 1973.

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