Lot 50
Rifle Brigade, attached Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force, D-Day-related MBE Group of 7 to Lieutenant Colonel C.A. Winch
Military Medals, Decorations and Orders On Land, at Sea, in the Air | E114
Auction: 7 September 2023 at 10:00 BST
Description
A Rifle Brigade, attached Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force, BEF 1940, Territorial Decoration, D-Day-related MBE Group of 7, awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Cecil Arthur Winch, 6th (Service Battalion) The Rifle Brigade, Observer 149 Squadron, 39 Operational Bombing Sorties, Mentioned in Despatches, 4th Battalion The Buffs, BEF France 1939/40, South Eastern Command “Q” Staff 1941-1944 M.B.E. October 1944, comprising M.B.E, 2nd Type (Mily), unnamed as issued, 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medals, Mentioned in Despatches emblem, (2. Lieut. C.A. Winch. R.A.F.), 1939‑45 Star, 1939‑45 Defence Medal, 1939‑45 War Medal, all unnamed as issued, Efficiency Decoration, GRI with GVIR Second Award bar (1947), lightly toned, very fine (7).
M.B.E. Extract from the London Gazette, 17th October 1944:
‘L/Lt Col Majr Cecil A. Winch Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)
Lt. Col. Winch has been quartering Commandant, East Kent since early 1941. During recent months the area for which he is responsible has accommodated a considerable concentration of Troops. By his courtesy and untiring efforts, he has earned the gratitude of numerous formation and unit commanders. Considerable credit is due to him for the smooth and efficient manner in which major accommodation problems have been solved.’
Mention in Despatches, London Gazette, March 1919.
Details of Service Cecil Arthur Winch M.B.E. T.D.
Cambridge University OTC and No. 2 Officer Cadet Battalion September 1916 – September 1917
Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant: 6th (Special Reserve) Battalion Rifle Brigade, September 1917
Attached Royal Flying Corps, January 1918
Transferred to Royal Air Force, 1st of April 1918.
B.E.F. France with R.A.F., June 1918
Served with 149 Squadron as Observer Flying Fe2b. 39 Operational Bombing Sorties Completed to end of Hostilities to: Armentieres, Merville, Bailleul, Ypres, Zonnebeke, Warneton, Quesnoy, Courtrai, Roulers to name a few.
28th June 1918 Feb ‑Pilot Major Greville Wood – ‘Spy Seen’
31st June 1918 Handley Page – Pilot Captain Buck – Bombing Warneton ‑ Port Engine Very Dud
10th July 1918 Fe2b – Pilot Lt Wilson – Bombing Bac St Maur [?] Very Dud Bombs dropped from 1500ft.
14th July 1918 Fe2b – Pilot Lt Wilson – Bombing Bac St Maur Broken undercarriage crash on aerodrome
Mentioned in Despatches March 1919
Army of Occupation to May 1919
Transferred from Special Reserve to Territorial Army during 1919 5th Battalion The Buffs
Service with 4th and 5th Battalions The Buffs 1927/28 (Inclusive)
Captain Territorial Army Reserve of Officer v
Recalled to the 4th Battalion The Buffs September 1939
B.E.F. France November 1939
Returned to Home Forces January 1940
Depot The Buffs 1940-41
South Easer Command “Q” Staff and promoted Major January 1941
Local Lieutenant Colonel Aprils 1941
M.B.E. Awarded 1944 for assisting in accommodation of Troops concentrating in Southern England in preparation for the Normandy Landings in 1944 – D Day
Sold with – all Original unless stated
Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force Flying Log Book with photographs of Cecil, his Pilot and Ground Crew affixed to covers back and front
Mentioned in Despatches Certificate
Observers Home Defence Brigade RFC Transfer Card (Nigh-Flying Observers)
38 Squadron Gunnery Card
38 Squadron Aerial Navigation card
Protection Certificate (Officer) dated 22nd of May 1919
Final Letter of Demobilisation to a Special Reserve Officer
A file of 27 WW2 dated letters –
one Signed By Major General Commanding B.S. Horrocksone signed by Brigadier Percy Hansen VC DSO MCA file of 10 letters from 1947 to 1960
Water Colour 5 ½ inches by 9 inches of Cecil’s Winches Fe2b signed ad dated R.S. Ashby 1920 (A renowned aviation Artist and one time Sopwith Camel Pilot with the RFC.)
Copy handwritten “Details of Service” written by Cecil Winch
Rifle Brigade Cap Badge
Royal Flying Corps Collar Badge
Gold Plated Royal Flying Corps Pilots Wings Sweetheart Brooch
Copy London Gazette entries, Copy Citation for MBE, genealogical information.
