British Groups

Lot 5690    Session 18 (2.30pm Friday)    British Groups

Estimate $5,700
Bid at live.noble.com.au

TRIO: Military Medal (GV); British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. 7467 1/Cl : A.M. A.Cpl-E.R.Bidwell. R.A.F. on first medal; 7467. Cpl. E.R.Bidwell. R.A.F. on last two medals. All medals impressed. Swing mounted, very fine.

An important MM Group of Three to a RFC/RAF ground staff Wireless Operator. MM LG 16/7/1918 Fourth Supplement p.8311 to 1st Cl A/M (A Cpl).E.R.Bidewell, RAF (London, N.). Citation: 'For Bravery in the Field'. MID: No confirmation. One of the documents in this lot gives an indication of Bidewell's contribution as a wireless operator to the success of operations. It is a letter from HQ 1st Wing Intelligence RFC to OC 16 Squadron RFC, 17 April 1917 (attention Bidewell, Wireless Operator 43rd Battery); 'The success which our neutralizing fire achieved against the enemy batteries during the recent attack of the First Army, appear to have been largely due to the efficient working of the Zone Call system. This indicates not only good work by pilot and observers in the air, but unremitting care and hard work on the part of your Wireless Officers, Wireless Mechanics and Operators, on whose cooperation this system is based. The very high percentage of Zone calls received at the Batteries, is a fine tribute to the skill and devotion to duty displayed by all concerned. The G.O.C., 1st Brigade, Royal Flying Corps, to whom I submitted a report on this matter, has expressed to me his satisfaction and appreciation of the efforts that all ranks of the wireless personnel are obviously making, and I shall be glad if you will convey his congratulations and my own, to all of them who are under your command. They play a part in the co-operation between the Royal Artillery and the Royal Flying Corps, which is becoming increasingly important as operations develop, and despite the inherent difficulties which are bound to occur, I confidently look to them for the same devotion and skill in the future.' Ernest Robert Bidewell was born in 1894; joined RFC in August 1915; embarked for overseas service in France and Flanders in 1916 as a wireless operator; his document records show that he was on strength of 35 Sqn, RFC (while attached to XIX Corps Heavy Artillery) and later with 16 Sqn, RFC (while attached to 43rd Battery); his last mustering as a wireless operator was with 25 Sqn, RAF; he discharged on 19 April 1919. Together with Tribute Certificate 'Serving His King and Country'; Certificate of Congratulations on award of Military Medal signed by LT General Sir H Rawlinson; Card of Appreciation for War Service from General Officer Commanding Royal Air Force; Home Office, Whitehall Pass for 23 June 1911 from Winston S Churchill; Certificate of Demobilization; Combined Leave and Railway Ticket from France to Forest Gate, Essex Station; Movement Order; Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity; photos and other documents. Only 94 Military Medals awarded to RAF for WWI.