Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A very rare ‘Crowned Head’ A.F.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant (Pilot), later Squadron Leader, H. G. Dingwall, Royal Air Force, attached Egyptian Army Air Force - a pioneer instructor of the latter, who flew an aeroplane in each of the three formation flights by Egyptian aircraft from England to Egypt in 1930s, and amassed at least 1,800 flying hours during his career

Air Force Medal, G.V.R., 2nd ‘crowned bust’ issue (326355. Sgt. (Pilot) H. G. Dingwall. RA.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (326356. Sgt. H. G. Dingwall. R.A.F.) mounted for wear, very fine £4,000-£5,000

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 1996 and September 2000.

Sold with the following original documents: Royal Air Force Pilot’s Flying Log Books for the period 1 April 1921 to 13 November 1943, the first three bound as one; 2 original copies of the A.F.M. recommendations; recipient’s Flying Training Certificate, No. 4 F.T.S., Abu Sueir, Egypt, dated 18 January 1926; 2 congratulatory telegrams from the Philip Sassoon, Secretary of State for Air, dated 3 June 1935; and a letter of recommendation from Major General G. W. Spinks, Ministry of War and Marine, Cairo, dated 28 February 1935, with a letter of congratulations from the same person, dated 3 June 1935.

A.F.M. London Gazette 3 June, 1935: Sergeant (Local Warrant Officer) (Pilot) Herbert George Dingwall, Royal Air Force (att. Egyptian Army Air Force), the original recommendation states:

‘Conspicuous devotion to duty. This N.C.O. has completed 5 years flying, and has flown a total of 1037 hours, of which 154 have been at night. Sergeant Dingwall sets an extraordinary good flying example to all, and has put up some very fine shows for the Squadron [58 (Bomber) Squadron], both by day and night. He is a most capable flying instructor, and takes young and inexperienced navigators on cross-country flights at night, often in bad weather, and does not get upset when they make bad mistakes and get lost. He keeps his head, and very often shows great skill in flying and navigating his aircraft home under these conditions. He is capable and hard working and has the interest of the Squadron at heart.’

An additional recommendation for the same award by Squadron Leader V. H. Tait, Egyptian Army Air Force, gives the following:

‘This non commissioned officer has been seconded to the Egyptian Army Air Force since its commencement in 1931. He has displayed conspicuous skill and enthusiasm in raising the standard of flying of the Egyptian personnel. He has piloted an aeroplane in each of the three formation flights by Egyptian aircraft from England to Egypt. In addition to his flying duties this non commissioned officer has been an instructor and supervisor to the Egyptian personnel in aircraft rigging and has succeeded in bringing this personnel up to a satisfactory standard of efficiency. He has at all times displayed tact and understanding in dealing with Egyptian Flying Officers and mechanics, and by his conduct and efficiency has thoroughly maintained the prestige of the Royal Air Force.’

Approximately 20 ‘crowned head‘ A.F.M.’s awarded.

The following information was extracted from his log books: Attended R.A.F. Cadet College, Cranwell, from April 1921, flying Avros, DH9A and Vickers Vimy. On 2 January, 1926, he completed the Long Course at No. 4 FTS at Abu Sueir, and on 22 February he was graded ‘above average’. In March 1926 he was posted to No. 45 (Bomber) Squadron at Hinaidi, Iraq, flying Vickers Vernon and Victoria aircraft; No. 70 (Bomber) Squadron, Hinaidi, January 1927; No. 58 (Bomber) Squadron, Worthy Down, October 1927. As pilot he won the Laurence Minot Trophy for 1929. In November 1931, he was posted to Hatfield Civil Aerodrome on secondment to the Egyptian Army Air Force, and in May 1932, he commenced the E.A.A.F. flight to Egypt. This flight, in a De Haviland Moth, with a Sergeant Martin as passenger, was from Hatfield to Lympne, Paris, Lyon, Marseilles, Pisa, Rome, Naples, Catania, Malta, Tripoli, Sirte, Bengasi, Tobruk, Mersa Matruh, and finally to Cairo. The total length on the trip was 3285 miles and it ended with a reception, held by H.M. King Fuad of Egypt, for the Flight of Avro X and Moth EIII to be based at Almaza. Dingwall served with the E.A.A.F. for four years, returning to the U.K. in January 1936, when he joined No. 3 School of Technical Training at Manston, flying a great variety of aircraft. In August 1942 he was posted to No. 8 Maintenance Unit at Little Rissington, and at the end of 1943 his log book shows that he was in West Africa. His log books record more than 1800 hours flying time. He retired as Squadron Leader in September 1950.