RAF Pilot's Brevet and Medal Bar with Mentioned in Despatches Clasps

on offer is a particularly impressive pilots padded wings grouping which is sewn to a Khaki Drill (KD) snap back cloth base and was clearly used in conjunction with Khaki Drill tunic. Sadly we don't have either the original owners name or the provenance that belongs with this piece but he clearly served with distinction in WWI and WWII as shown by his impressive medal bar. This confirms he was entitled to the 1914/15 Star, War Medal 1914/20, Victory medal with mentioned in despatches (MID), 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with 1st Army clasp, (indicating he served with the 1st Army in North Africa between 8th November '42 & 23rd May '43), Italy Star (rather faded), Defence Medal and 1939-45 with a further mentioned in despatches to complete the grouping! It would be nice to speculate this anonymous Pilot served with the Royal Flying Corps in WWI and his wings were subsequently changed to the post 1918 RAF brevet at a later date but we will never know for sure.

Pilot's wings used on Khaki Drill uniforms tended to be either pin back or with snaps (as here) so these important badges could be removed before the frequent washing that was required as the dyes were known to run. These wings are in fine original condition with signs of usage but no damage, moth or other faults. The medal ribbons show small signs of wear and some fading commensurate with their age – but they certainly have a story to tell. The stitching revealed on the reverse confirms this is an 100% original item and not a made up copy. Wings measure 4 1/2" wingtip to wingtip (11 cm.)