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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 745

The Air Efficiency Award awarded to Flight Lieutenant R. T. Muspratt-Williams, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, a member of 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron, a former secretary to the Duke of Hamilton, who later joined the Duke's son flying Spitfires in the early part of the Second World War

Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R. (Flt. Lt. R. T. Muspratt-Williams. A.A.F.), light contact marks, otherwise very fine

Air Efficiency Award London Gazette 3 June 1943.

Reginald "Spratt" Tyrwhitt Muspratt-Williams was born on 18 February 1906 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, his father was Colonel R. L. Muspratt-Williams D.S.O.. He was gazetted as a Pilot Officer in 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron on 16 August 1935 and earned the nickname "Spratt". In civilian life, he had been the secretary to the Duke of Hamilton. At the time the Duke's son, who was the then Marquis of Clydesdale, was the Commanding Officer of the Squadron and upon the death of the Duke inherited the title and was the man who Rudolf Hess sought when he flew to Scotland on 10 May 1941.

Muspratt-Williams was authorised to wear his "Wings" on 25 July 1937. The Squadron was given Spitfires from May 1939 and he had his first flight in one on 29 August 1939. The Squadron moved to Drem on 13 October 1939 and Muspratt-Williams flew twice on patrol on 7 December and again on 14 December and had further patrols on 4 January 1940 and another later the same day, which was considered Night Flying. He had further patrols on 26 January and one on 3 February, when later the same day he was sent to Acklington, and carried out patrols on 9 and 10 February with a further two on 15 February.

Muspratt-Williams is noted as returning to the squadron from sick leave on 19 June 1940 and was attached for Operational Duties to Pembrey on 23 June. He was noted as serving as a Flight Lieutenant at R.A.F. Group H.Q. based at Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he served as personal pilot and assistant to Air Commodore R. E. "Birdie" Saul C.B. D.F.C., who was Air Officer Commanding No. 13 Group from 1939 and Air Officer Commanding No. 12 Group from 1940. Muspratt-Williams was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 3 September 1940 and remained at this rank until resigning on 10 July 1950, still serving with the General Duties Branch he died in 1960 at West Coker, Yeovil, Somerset; sold together with assorted copied research including entries from the Operations Record Book.


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Sold for
£230

Starting price
£130