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Auction: 21002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 239

A most impressive K.B.E., C.B. group of thirteen awarded to Air Vice-Marshall Sir J. E. Whitford, Royal Air Force, late Trooper, Lord Strathcona's Horse, one of only seven Canadians in the Royal Air Force to be Knighted since 1918 and the recipient of the American Legion of Merit for his work in North Africa

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Knight Commander's (K.B.E.) set of insignia, comprising neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband; Star, silver-gilt and enamel, in its Garrard & Co. case of issue; The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Companion's (C.B.), neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband, in its Garrard & Co. case of issue; 1914-15 Star (2575 Tpr: J. Whitford. Ld: S'Cona's H.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. J. Whitford. R.A.F.); Victory Medal 1914-1919 (Lieut. J. Whitford); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaves; Jubilee 1935; United States of America, Legion of Merit, Commander's neck Badge, numbered '590' on suspension, gilt and enamel, with neck riband, in unnamed case of issue, mounted group with contact marks, very fine (13)

K.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1949.

C.B. London Gazette 1 January 1945.

American Legion Of Merit London Gazette 9 October 1945, The citation states:

'As Air Officer in charge of administration, Desert Air Force. Air Commodore Whitford displayed such personal zeal, foresight and initiative, in the supervision and servicing of supply of the United States Air Force units then functioning under operational control of the Desert Air Force during operations in Tripolitania, Tunisia, and later in Sicily and Italy, as to be of invaluable assistance in maintaining a high serviceability rate of the American units involved.'

John Eligah Whitford was born on 17 December 1892 at Tavistock, Devon, the son of John Henry and Gladys Whitford. Having served with the Devon Yeomanry for three years, he left this unit when the family emigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, while here he served for one year with the 19th Alberta Dragoons. With the outbreak of the First World War Whitford enlisted with Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 24 September 1914. This regiment embarked for England on 3 October 1914. While here Whitford was promoted Corporal, he entered hospital on 3 May 1915 being left there when his regiment entered the war in France later in the month. He was taken back onto the strength on 27 June 1915 in France. Despite being a cavalry regiment, Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) served dismounted as infantry for the first years of the war with the Canadian Cavalry Brigade seeing action at Festubert and Givenchy. They resumed their mounted role on 27 January 1916, later that year Whitford was promoted Sergeant on 30 June 1916 but entered hospital on 24 September 1916 with an injury to his left knee. Returned to his unit, he likely saw action with them during the defence of the Somme front in March 1917. However it was not long after this that he was promoted Temporary Lieutenant and posted to the 14th Reserve Battalion on 3 May 1917.

Seconded to the Royal Flying Corps on 25 September 1917, Whitford entered the School of Military Aeronautics, Reading the next day. Listed as a Pilot under training with No. 47 Squadron and later No. 73 Squadron from 12 November 1917-9 February 1918 he graduated as Pilot with No. 6 Squadron by 19 February 1918. Promoted 2nd Lieutenant on 25 April 1918 and Posted to No. 32 Training Depot Station as a Pilot on 15 July 1918 before being transferred to No. 81 Squadron on 8 February 1919. He was promoted Lieutenant on 1 August 1919 while serving with this formation. No. 81 Squadron was disbanded on 1 February 1920 and Whitford joined No. 2 Flying Training School as a Qualified Flight Instructor on 1 May 1920.

Whitford transferred to No. 21 Squadron in Egypt as a pilot on 8 February 1921, this bomber squadron, equipped with DH.9s, had a number of duties including air patrols in the Sudan and surveying the Baghdad to Cairo air mail route. Promoted Flight Lieutenant on 1 January 1923, Whitford was listed as Supernumerary on 1 November 1924. Posted to No. 11 Squadron on 24 February 1925, he served as a Flight Commander. After a period at the Air and Gunnery School from 18 January 1926, followed by a stint at RAF Calshot from 15 October 1928 Whitford joined No. 502 (Ulster) Squadron on 15 October 1928. The next year he again transferred, this time to No. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron, the first Auxillary Air Force Squadron on 4 February 1929, as an Instructor. Promoted Squadron Leader on 30 June 1931, he was posted Officer Commanding No. 24 Squadron on 3 October 1931. Appointed to a staff role on 1 December 1935 he became Superintendent of the RAF Reserve. He was advanced Wing Commander on 1 January 1937 he took on the role of Senior Air Staff Officer on 1 February 1939. Promoted Group Captain on 1 March 1940 and later appointed Officer Commanding RAF Chipping Norton on 4 February 1942.

Whitford was appointed AOA at Air Headquarters Western Desert on 24 August 1942 and promoted Temporary Air Commodore on 1 November 1942. The need to organise effective supply in during the desert conflict was a constant struggle however it could be punctuated by lighter moments. In his memoirs, Spitfire into battle Group Captain W.G.G. Duncan Smith recounted:

'Harry Broadhurst used a captured Italian motor launch to go for trips up the coast, and to do some improvised water skiing. Usually, he invited some of us to join him, Claude Pelly, his Senior Air Staff Officer, and John Whitford, his Air Officer Administration. The launch was always well stocked with good things to eat and a large quantity of captured Bavarian Beer. We modelled a thirty-gallon spitfire drop-tank to work as an aqua-plane for towing behind the launch and it did as well as a pair of water-skis. After a certain amount of practice we got pretty expert.'

Coastal jaunts aside Whitford proved an extremely able administrator and took the role of AOA at Headquarters Desert Air Force from 10 July 1943. Received a 'mention' for his work in connection with the planning of the D-Day landings on 8 June 1944 he nevertheless remained in the Mediterranean. With the defeat of the German forces in North Africa Whitford was promoted Acting Air Vice Marshall and appointed Air Officer Commanding Headquarters Allied Coastal Air Forces on 1 November 1944. Duncan Smith continues:

'He helped enormously in adjusting my outlook towards a better understanding of post-war problems'

With the withdrawal of the Axis forces through Italy he became Air Officer Commanding Air Headquarters, Italy on 1 October 1945, serving here only briefly before becoming AOA to Headquarters Maintenance Command on 4 December 1945. Promoted Air Vice Marshal on 1 October 1946 he was placed on the retired list on 5 March 1949. Whitford died in England on 12 August 1966; sold together with copied research including service records, London Gazette entries and extracts from Spitfire Into Battle and 21 Squadrons-The History of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

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Sold for
£4,800

Starting price
£1400