orders, decorations, campaign medals and militaria - Spink

By this time we had fought our way back alone to over
Moyenneville, as our own formation had been broken up, our
machine being shot in the radiator and petrol tank. From
there until we crossed the line we were engaged with
Halberstadters at comparatively long range, using the
remainder of my ammunition, which kept them from making
a concentrated attack.
I am of the opinion that the type K machines were using
explosive bullets at me owing to the peculiar noise they made
on striking our machine’; Bryant transferred as Senior Flight
Commander to 18 Squadron (F.E. 2b’s), France, 5.4.1917;
Bryant spent most of April leading Photo Reconnaissance
including, 23.4.1917 (see D.S.O. Second Award Bar
Recommendation), ‘While proceeding to bomb Epinoy our
formation was attacked by two hostile formations consisting
of at least 20 machines. 35 shots were fired at an Albatros
Scout at 100 yds range. Tracers appeared to enter the H.A.
just in front of the pilot’s seat. The H.A. which was attacking
the F.E. suddenly turned on its side and went down
absolutely out of control. It was last seen several thousand
feet below the F.E. still going down out of control. A second
H.A. was seen going down very steeply apparently out of
control with engine smoking badly’ (Combat Report refers);
he was regularly heavily engaged with larger enemy
formations throughout April - May 1917, including
30.4.1917, ‘Captain Bryant (P) & 2/Lt. Couve (O) No. 18
Sqn. Captain Bryant was leading a photographic
reconnaissance of No. 18 Squadron which engaged a
formation of about 20 hostile machines near Baralle. A
general combat ensued, which lasted for about half an hour.
Capt. Bryant and 2/Lt. Couve fired three double drums at
various hostile machines during this fight and drove down
one small red hostile machine apparently under control, and
had several other combats. They also report that one of the
rear machines of their reconnaissance was seen to be in
trouble, but the whole of the formation turned on the hostile
machine attacking it drove it down. The F.E.s which took
part in this combat showed great skill and kept together well
throughout. In spite of this fight the reconnaissance
succeeded in obtaining 24 photographs’; posted Temporary
Major and Squadron Commander of 89 (Training)
Squadron, Netheravon, 9.7.1917; returned to 23 (Scout)
Squadron (Spads and later Dolphins), La Lovie, France and
served as Squadron Commander, 27.10.1917-4.3.1919; the
squadron was tasked with operational patrols and ground
attack; after brief postings with 20 and 48 Squadrons, he was
posted as Squadron Commander 79 Squadron (Dolphins),
4.5.1919; posted to Home Establishment 16.7.1919 (Five
Times Mentioned in Despatches); despite being
recommended for promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel (Flying)
four times between November 1918-April 1919 he returned
to the 12th Lancers, August 1919, with his substantive rank
of Captain; Major 1920; retired 1925; re-engaged for service
during the Second War as a Flight Lieutenant, R.A.F.V.R.,
for Intelligence Duties, March 1941 (M.I.D. London Gazette
14.6.1945).
orders, deCoratioNs, CampaigN medaLs aNd miLitaria
WWW.spiNK.Com
441
A ‘Military Division’ O.B.E. Group of Six to Wing
Commander W.L. Milburn, Royal Air Force, A
Great War R.E. 8 Pilot with 16 Squadron, Royal
Flying Corps
a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire,
2nd type, Military Division, Officer’s (O.B.E.) breast
Badge, silver-gilt
b) British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W.L.
Milburn. R.A.F.), BWM with minor official correction,
VM erased
c) Defence Medal
d) Coronation 1953
e) Cadet Forces Medal, G.VI.R., with Second Award
Bar (Act. Sqn. Ldr. W.L. Milburn. R.A.F.V.R. (T.)),
generally very fine, with several newspaper cuttings
picturing recipient in uniform (6)
£180-220
O.B.E. London Gazette 1.1.1959 Acting Wing Commander
Wilton Legender Milburn (65119), Royal Air Force
Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch)
Wing Commander Wilton Legender Milburn, born
Sunderland, 1899; studied as a Dental Student at Durham
University, 1915-1917, and was a member of the University
O.T.C.; enlisted as 3/A.M, Royal Flying Corps, 29.5.1917;
became a Cadet, June 1917; after training was posted as a
Pilot to 16 Squadron (R.E. 8’s), Bruay, France 27.3.1917;
the squadron was mainly tasked with reconnaissance and
artillery observation; returned to the Home Establishment,
25.1.1919; transferred to the Unemployed List, 27.1.1919;
re-engaged as Acting Pilot Officer, Training Branch,
R.A.F.V.R., for service with A.T.C., 1.2.1941; advanced
Squadron Leader, 26.7.1943; Wing Commander, Durham
Wing, A.T.C., 25.11.1947; retired 1965.