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Auction: 14003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 51

An Outstanding Second War, Royal Air Force C.B.E., Great War 'Western Front' 1915 D.S.O. and Bar, 1914 M.C. Group of Eleven to Lieutenant-Colonel W.C. Wilson, Leicestershire Regiment, Later Group Captain, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, A pre-Great War England Rugby International
a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Commander's (C.B.E.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband
b) Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, silver-gilt and enamel, obverse centre depressed
c) Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued
d) 1914 Star, with Bar (Capt: W.C. Wilson. Leic: R.)
e) British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaves (Lt. Col. W.C. Wilson.)
f) Defence and War Medals
g) Russia, Imperial, Order of St. Anne, Military Division, Second Class neck Badge, by Eduard, St. Petersburg, 43mm, gold (56 zolotniki) and enamel, maker´s mark and name on reverse, 1908-17 kokoshnik mark and gold mark on suspension ring, and additional kokoshnik marks on reverse hilts of swords
h) Russia, Imperial, Order of St. Vladimir, Military Division, Third Class neck Badge, 40mm, gold (56 zolotniki) and enamel, gold mark and indistinct date marks on suspension ring, reverse centre damaged
i) France, Republic, Medal of Honour, with Swords, silver-gilt, unnamed as issued, minor enamel damage to both Russian awards, traces of adhesive throughout, generally very fine (11)

C.B.E. London Gazette 1.1.1944 Acting Group Captain Walter Carandini Wilson, D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
The Recommendation states: 'At the outbreak of War this officer was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army. He gave up a promising army career to become senior training staff officer at No.54 Group. Throughout, Group Captain Wilson's work has been of outstanding merit; his tremendous energy, his devotion to duty, and his general all-round efficiency have been a great example to all ranks. The efficiency of 54 Group is in a very large part due to the ability, hard work, and continuous devotion of this officer.'

O.B.E. London Gazette 22.3.1919 Capt. & Bt. Maj. (T./Lt.-Col.) Walter Carandini Wilson, D.S.O., M.C., Leic. R.
'For valuable services rendered in connection with the War.'

D.S.O. London Gazette 4.11.1915 Captain Walter Carandini Wilson, 2nd Battalion, The Leicestershire Regiment.
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack near Pietre Farm on 25th September, 1915. When giving final directions to his men he was severely wounded in the stomach, but he stuck to his work and went forward, encouraging his men till he could see through the smoke that they were over the German parapet. He was then helped back in an exhausted state. Captain Wilson's name has several times been brought forward for gallantry and determination.'

D.S.O. Second Award Bar London Gazette 4.6.1917 Capt. and Bt. Maj. Walter Carandini Wilson, D.S.O., M.C., Leic. R.
'For distinguished service in the field.'

M.C. London Gazette 18.2.1915 Captain W.C. Wilson, Leicestershire Regiment
'For services rendered in connection with Operations in the Field.'

French Medal of Honour, with Swords London Gazette 7.12.1920 Brevet Major Walter Carandini Wilson, D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C., Leicestershire Regiment
'For distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign.'

Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Carandini Wilson, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., born Brisbane, Queensland, June 1885, the son of Robert Wilson Esq. of Bannockburn House, Stirling, and the grandson of the Marquis of Sarzano; educated at Tonbridge; Commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 22.4.1905; transferred to the Leicestershire Regiment, 16.1.1907; promoted Lieutenant, 9.11.1908; seconded for service with the West African Regiment, 1911-1914; promoted Captain, 1.11.1913; served during the Great War on the Western Front with the 1st Battalion, and awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry during the first few months of the War; transferred to the 2nd Battalion, June 1915, and awarded the first of his Distinguished Service Orders for his conspicuous gallantry during an attack near Pietre Farm, 25.9.1915. Promoted Brevet Major 3.6.1916, he was posted to the Staff of 70 Infantry Brigade, 24.5.1916- 13.2.1917, in which appointment he received a Second Award Bar to his D.S.O.; served as GSO1 British Military Mission to America, April 1918 to March 1919. For his services in the War he was awarded the O.B.E., and Mentioned in Despatches five times (London Gazettes 17.2.1915, 27.1.1916, 15.6.1916, 15.5.1917 and 20.5.1918). After the War employed with the British Military Mission to Finland, May 1919 to February 1920; and the British Military Mission to the Baltic States, February to May 1920 (awarded Russian Orders of St. Anne and St. Vladimir), before serving as General Staff Officer (Intelligence) Dublin District, May 1920 to November 1921, and later as Brigade Major with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, February 1922 to January 1924; appointed Company Commander of Gentlemen Cadets, R.M.C. Sandhurst, January 1924; subsequently employed with the Malay States Volunteer Rifles, March to July 1926; and with the Royal West African Frontier Force, October 1927 to June 1930. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, 10.3.1928; Wilson retired in 1932.

A New War- A New Challenge
As the Second World War approached Wilson rejoined the Army as a Lieutenant-Colonel, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, and served as General Staff Officer HQ 42nd Division. Known as a staff officer of great ability, he was persuaded to join the RAF and assist in the initial training of cadets in 54 Group. He joined the Royal Air Force with the rank of Pilot Officer, 1.12.1939; promoted Squadron Leader, 1.3.1940; and served as Senior Training Staff Officer, HQ No.54 Group, Flying Training Command R.A.F., for which work he was advanced to C.B.E. He retired with the rank of Group Captain, 31.1.1944, and was subsequently employed by British Overseas Airways Corporation. He died at home in Brighton, 12.4.1968.

A keen rugby player, Wilson was a founder member of the Executive Committee of the Army Rugby Union in 1906. As well as playing for Richmond, he captained the 1st Battalion's Rugby team which won the Army Cup in 1907, and was capped twice by England during the 1907 Five Nations, making his International debut away to Ireland at Lansdowne Road, and then playing in the home fixture against Scotland at Blackheath.

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£5,800