A scarce inter-war ‘Kurdistan’ D.F.C. group of five awarded to Bristol Fighter pilot, Squadron Leader A. T. K. Shipwright, 6 Squadron, Royal Air Force, a veteran of the Great War who was shot down in combat over enemy lines East of Ypres, 16 August 1917, whilst serving with 19 Squadron. Taken prisoner of war, Shipwright was a persistent escaper, and was one of the ‘Holzminden Tunnellers’ - taking part in the largest and most celebrated POW escape of the Great War, 24/25 July 1918

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R.; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer‘s breast badge, silver and enamel, minor enamel damage; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaves (Lieut. A. T. K. Shipwright. R.A.F.); General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Kurdistan, Palestine (F/O A. T. K. Shipwright. R.A.F.) unofficial retaining rod between clasps of last, mounted as originally worn, lacquered, generally very fine (5) £3,000-£4,000

Provenance: Christie’s, November 1984.

D.F.C. London Gazette 11 June 1924:

‘For distinguished service rendered during the operations in Kurdistan between 15th February and 19th June, 1923.’

The original recommendation states:

‘For untiring energy, gallantry and devotion to duty. Flying Officer Shipwright has carried out over 359 hours’ flying during operations. His work has been of a most valuable nature and in many cases has been done under conditions of the greatest danger.’

Order of St. John, Officer London Gazette 12 June 1926.

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

‘For valuable services whilst in captivity.’

Alan Thomas Kingston Shipwright was born at St. George’s Square, London in May 1897. He was the son of an actor, and had two brothers who both went on to serve as Squadron Leaders in the Royal Air Force. Shipwright attested for the 3/1st Kent Cyclists Battalion, Territorial Force in May 1915. He transferred to the 2/3rd (Kent Brigade) Company, Army Service Corps two months later. Shipwright was discharged on re-enlistment into the Royal Flying Corps in May 1916, and attested as Air Mechanic 2nd Class for the duration of the war.

Shipwright advanced to Sergeant and was employed piloting BE2c’s at night from Hornchurch, Essex. Flying during the first ‘Battle of Britain’, Shipwright is recorded as being on an intruder patrol 2/3 September 1916 when Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson, only a short distance away, shot down the Zeppelin at Cuffley. Shipwright was commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant (On Probation) in June 1917, and was posted for operational flying to 19 Squadron (Spads) on the Western Front.

Shipwright’s time in the air was short-lived, as he was shot down in combat over enemy lines East of Ypres, 16 August 1917. He later wrote:

‘The particular patrol that I was on was from Poperinghe aerodrome for the first time; when flight commenced weather was showery; after three quarters of an hour flying the thunder clouds completely drove me away from my flight and at many times upset control of machine; there was a strong westerly gale blowing, which I put down as the reason of my being driven so many miles East.’

Shipwright was captured by the Germans and taken to Karlsruhe transit camp, from where he promptly escaped. He was recaptured and transferred to the officers’ lager at Holzminden, Brunswick. Shipwright was there in time to take part in the largest and most celebrated POW escape of the Great War, 24/25 July 1918. The tunnel at Holzminden had taken 9 months to dig, and by the evening of the 24th a roster of 86 officers were waiting to escape. The tunnel partially collapsed on the 30th man through, meaning that only 29 (including Shipwright) made their escape by crawling through it. Only 10 of the 29 successfully avoided recapture, and unfortunately for Shipwright he was not amongst them.

Shipwright was punished with 3 weeks solitary confinement, after which he escaped for a third and final time. This time he was recaptured just short of the Dutch border. After the war he was M.I.D. ‘For valuable services whilst in captivity.’

Upon repatriation, Shipwright transferred to the Royal Air Force and advanced to Flying Officer in July 1921. He served at the School of Technical Training (Men), Ramsgate, before being posted as a pilot to 6 Squadron (Bristol F.2b’s) at Hinaidi, Iraq. The Squadron, initially operating from Baghdad West, undertook patrol duties against Turkish-backed rebels in Northern Iraq and later policed large areas of desert to protect towns against marauding bands of raiders. Shipwright flew over 359 hours of operational flying before returning to the UK at the end of June 1923.

Subsequent postings included to 2 (Army Co-operation) Squadron at Ramsgate, and for air armament duties at the Armament and Gunnery School at Eastchurch in March 1926. Shipwright was appointed an Esquire of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in November 1925, and was re-graded as an Officer of the order in June the following year. He advanced to Flight Lieutenant in July 1927, and was posted to 25 Squadron at Hawkinge the same year. Shipwright was posted overseas to HQ Transjordan and Palestine at Amman in March 1928. At the end of the following year he was posted to 216 (Bomber Transport) Squadron (Victorias) at Heliopolis, before returning to the UK in 1931 when he was posted to 3 Squadron.

Shipwright served with No. 1 Armoured Car Company in Iraq, 1933-1937, during which time he commanded No. 2 Section. He was then posted to the Electrical and Wireless School, No. 1 Wing, Cranwell, before advancing to Squadron Leader in December 1937. Shipwright remained on the Staff until being forced to retire due to ill-health in August 1939. In later life he resided at Douglas House, Brighton Road, Worthing, and was employed by the National Coal Board Executive.

Squadron Leader Shipwright moved to Cornwall in his later years, and died at West Cornwall Hospital, Penzance in March 1980.

Sold with a copy of The Tunnellers of Holzminden by H. C. Durnford, and extensive copied research.