Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The extremely well-documented campaign group of seven awarded to Captain C. H. Wilkinson, Royal Corps of Signals, late Wireless Operator, Mercantile Marine and Sergeant Mechanic (Wireless Telegrapher), Royal Naval Air Service

British War 1914-20 (F.11559 C. H. Wilkinson. P.O.M. R.N.A.S.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (C. H. Wilkinson); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (6) £260-£300

Cecil Howard Wilkinson was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, in July 1896. He was educated at The Greystones School, Scarborough, and joined the Merchant Navy as a Wireless Operator in 1913. Wilkinson made several Atlantic crossings in early 1914, before serving as a Sergeant Mechanic (Wireless Telegrapher) with the Royal Naval Air Service from 11 February 1916 to 1 April 1918, and then transferring to the Royal Air Force, his last posting being No. 1 Marine Observers School, Aldeburgh. Wilkinson’s Log Book records various W/T test flights at Aldeburgh with him in a Observer capacity in mainly DH6 aircraft between August 1918 and March 1919. He returned to the Merchant Navy in December 1919, and was still serving in April 1921. Wilkinson re-engaged for service during the Second War as a Company Quarter Master Sergeant with the Royal Corps of Signals. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in September 1943, and advanced to Captain in the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers in January 1948. Wilkinson was discharged with the honorary rank of Captain in August 1951.

Sold with the following related original documentation: Board of Trade Continuous Certificate of Discharge; British Mercantile Marine Identity and Service Certificate; Signal Card 1908 (reprint 1914); First Class Certificate of Proficiency in Radiotelegraphy granted by the Postmaster General, dated 25 November 1913, complete with photograph and various travel stamps; Pilot’s Flying Log Book (Army Book 425), covering the period from 16 August 1918 to 6 March 1919; Certificate of Employment During the War; Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity (Soldier Not Remaining With The Colours); Second World War campaign medal enclosure slip; The Greystones School, Scarborough, School Report for Easter 1911; Membership Certificate for The Incorporated Radio Society of Great Britain, dated 8 September 1947; a number of photographs from Second World War service; and other ephemera.