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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 614

The poignant and well-documented campaign group of three awarded to 2nd Lieutenant R. W. Davidson, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, a gallant RE8 Observer who was flying with No. 7 Squadron who was shot down on 14 October 1918, becoming the 26th aerial victory of Oberleutnant Harald Auffarth of Jasta 29

British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. R. W. Davidson. R.A.F.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Robert Wilson Davidson), this mounted into a wooden display frame, nearly extremely fine (3)

Robert Wilson Davidson was born at Glasgow on 7 January 1899 and had worked as a Shipping Clerk on Robertson Street, Glasgow from March 1914-March 1917 before enlisting in the Royal Flying Corps. Having qualified as an Observer, he left Glasgow on 10 May 1918 and entered France on 13 May. Joining No. 7 Squadron, he saw thick action in the Spring and Summer and was granted leave from 16 August. Leaving Glasgow for the final time on 30 August, Davidson was back in France by 2 September and flying again. He set off from Proven at 0955hrs on 14 October, flying with 22-year-old Flight Commander Captain Sherard William Cowper-Coles in RE8 E33. The pair found themselves engaged in combat over Ledeghem with Oberleutnant Harald Auffarth of Jasta 29. Davidson and Cowper-Coles were shot down, their aircraft crashing with neither of them surviving. Both are buried in the Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.

A letter was sent to his father from Chaplain M. P. G. Leonard on 15 October:

'Dear Mr Davidson,

I am writing in the deepest sympathy to tell you how truly all members of the Squadron feel for you in the great blow which you have been called upon to bear in the death in action of your boy...I cannot tell you what depth of sorrow the death of your boy has plunged us, for he was a most loveable lad, and everybody had the greatest admiration and affection for him. He was good all-through, and the fullest sense of the word, a gallant Christian gentleman.

As an Observer he was without equal, as brave as a lion, and as keen as possible in his work. His death is indeed a heavy loss to the Squadron, and leaves a gap in our ranks and hearts that will be impossible to fill...He has not given his young life in vain, nay, rather, he has made the supreme sacrifice, the noblest man can make, and it is upon such acts of devotion and self-sacrifice that a new and better age is being built.'

Sold together with the following original archive:

(i)
His pocket diary for 1918, as returned to his father, with entries from 10 May-13 October. With much detail and good entries upon his flights, locations etc, besides the awards of his 'Wings', meeting Mick Mannock VC etc. The entry for 14 October filled by a comrade most moving and simply stating:

'Killed with he's Captain surrounded by seven German planes.'

(ii)
Silver identity tag, hallmarks to reverse, engraved 'Lieut. R. W. Davidson. Pres. Royal Air Force.'

(iii)
Silver card holder, the outer engraved 'RWD' and with one card in the name of 'Robert W. Davidson, Royal Flying Corps' present inside.

(iv)
Large-format photograph of the recipient, divided down the centre.

(v)
Old copy of the letter from the Chaplain to his father.

A watercolour of a crashed aeroplane which matches his number, is held in the Archvies of the University of Victoria (Canada), compiled by an unknown Canadian Officer and can be viewed via:

http://spcoll.library.uvic.ca/Digit/JM%20Web/categories/air/air.HTM

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£1,900

Starting price
£450