Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War A.F.C., Second World War C.B.E. group of eight awarded to Air Commodore J. J. Williamson, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps, with whom he served in the Sudan in 1916

The Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) 2nd type neck badge in case of issue; Air Force Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (2354 Pte., Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt., R.A.F.); Khedive’s Sudan 1910-21, no clasp (36203 2.A.M., R.F.C.) officially impressed naming; Greece, Order of the Redeemer, 5th class breast badge, reverse centre lacking and enamel chipped; Iraq, King Feisal’s War Medal, generally very fine or better and scarce (8) £1800-2000

A.F.C., London Gazette 8 February 1919, for services in Egypt.

Order of the Redeemer London Gazette 5 April 1919.

C.B.E., London Gazette 1 January, 1946. The original recommendation states: ‘This officer commands No. 9 A.O.S. During last summer his station was attacked by enemy bombers on 4 different occasions and considerable damage was done. Owing very largely to Group Captain Williamson's personal influence and example, the morale of the personnel remained of the highest order, and there was no loss of training efficiency. In spite of his exacting duties as a commander of a large unit he has found time to maintain himself as an efficient and able pilot and he is an example in this respect to his juniors. During his tour of appointment 2,846 air observer and air gunner trainees have passed through his hands.’

Air Commodore James John Williamson was born in 1895 and initially served in the ranks of the Manchester Regiment following the commencement of hostilities in 1914. Sometime in 1916 he transferred into the Royal Flying Corps, his entitlement to the Sudan Medal being confirmed in official records, and in July 1917 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. The following August he was graded as a Flying Officer, although he would not appear to have flown operationally, for a few months later he is recorded as being an Assistant Instructor at 196 Squadron Aerial Fighting School at Heliopolis. His A.F.C. and Greek Redeemer were both gazetted in 1919. He remained a Regular between the wars, receiving promotion to Group Captain in 1940 and to Air Commodore in 1944, shortly before his retirement. Sold with full research.