The WWI MC AFC order, decorations and medals of Wing Command...

Hammer

£4,000

The WWI MC AFC order, decorations and medals of Wing Commander William Harold Nelson Shakespeare, pilot of the first trans European flight by a commercial aeroplane, 1919, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Officer's silver gilt badge, civil division, Military Cross, reverse engraved CAPT W.H.N.SHAKESPEARE RFC 1917, Air Force Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, 1939-1945 Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 2360 Cpl W.G.N. Shakespeare Worc R [on Star, Capt W H N Shakespeare on BWM and Victory] and related personalia and memorabilia, principally comprising:

Insignia:
Worcestershire Regiment cap badge,
Royal Flying Corps cast gilt bronze dress uniform flying badge, 72mm l,
Royal Flying Corps cloth flying badge.

Other awards:
Massachusetts, City of Worcester Mayor's Key, William A Bennett (1938-1945), boxed,
9ct gold and enamel neck badge with arms of Worcester, Birmingham 1931, 19g

Photographs & Documents:
British Empire Aviator's Certificate No 3548 with photograph, 1916,
Typed itinerary of the [first] Flight to Greece, 9 October 1919, from Major Humphrey on Handley Page Ltd notepaper to Captain Shakespeare and contemporary photograph (gelatin silver print) of the bi plane,
Typed carbon copy of Shakespeare's 16 p. report of the flight headed 'across Europe by air',
foreign hotel bills and Greek newspaper and paper money, 1919, 
Unopened emergency ration tin of 'Bovril'.

Military Cross: Supplement to the London Gazette, 4 February 1918, 
Airforce Cross: Supplement to the London Gazette, 29 October 1918.

The aviator Wing Commander W H N Shakespeare (1893-1976) was born in Worcester and educated at the Royal Grammar School. He enlisted in the Worcestershire Regiment and after receiving his commission transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. The citation for his Military Cross reads "T./Capt. William Harold Nelson Shakespeare, RFC, was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He carried out a most successful contact patrol in very bad weather at a height of 400ft and brought back very valuable information. Later, he carried out another successful contact patrol at low altitude, his machine being subjected to intense rifle and machine-gun fire. He is a gallant and determined pilot and has set a fine example to his squadron." 

In 1918 he became one of the first Wing Commanders in the newly established Royal Air Force.

Soon after the end of the War, he joined Handley Page for which he undertook the first trans European flight by a commercial aeroplane. In "Flight" (December 4, 1919) he posted from Athens "I have the pleasure to report the successful completion of the first civilian trans-Europe flight. I arrived at Athens after the most trying and unpleasant stage of the journey from London. Taking advantage of what seemed to be good weather at Valona, I left in the early morning and made quite good time under good conditions to Prevesa. 

"Shortly afterwards I landed at Tatoi, having done the journey from Valona in 4 and a half hours. This, I was afterwards told, was a record time. The people - Greek and English flying officers - were very surprised to see us as the weather had been practically impossible all day; in fact five minutes before we landed an RAF HP machine, securely picketed, had been picked up by the wind and been blown completely on its back, being a nasty mess of wreckage which was spread out in front of us. Needless to say after the buffeting I had received, I was greatly relieved to make our final landing; in fact we were all pleased with ourselves at the successful completion of this long journey, although it had taken longer than we expected. This fact was due to conditions over which neither I nor the mechanics had any control. Altogether, the machine had been out in six whole days' rain. The engines, with the attention they received stood very well 

"On the day fixed for the inspection by HM King of Greece the Press turned up in copious numbers. We initiated them into the mysteries of the HP and trans-Europe flight. 

"I did two flights of Press people over Athens, and all went home very pleased with the machine, the new 'sensation' and themselves. On these trips we did some pamphlet dropping over the city. 

"Saturday, November 1, was a memorable day, for HM King of Greece turned up and inspected the machine. He was greatly impressed, and finally I persuaded him to come up for a flight. Since that occasion His Majesty has had two further flights, the last trip being from Athens to Corinth".