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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 539

A fine C.B., C.B.E., ‘Waziristan 1925’ group of thirteen awarded to Air Vice-Marshal G. R. C. Spencer, Royal Air Force, who formed and commanded the Central Bomber Establishment 1946-47


The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion's neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamels; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) 2nd type neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; British War and Victory Medals (Mid. G. R. C. Spencer. R.N.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1925 (F/O. G. R. C. Spencer. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1953; Belgium, Kingdom, Croix de Guerre, 2nd type with bronze palm; Belgium, Kingdom, Order of Leopold II, Commander’s neck Badge, silver-gilt, gilt and enamel very fine (13)

C.B. London Gazette 1 January 1952.

C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1946.

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1941 and 17 September 1943.

Belgian Order of Leopold II with Palme and Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palme conferred by H.R.H. Prince Regent of Belgium, 27 June 1947.

Geoffrey Roger Cole Spencer was born on 23 November 1901, the son of Colonel Maurice Spencer, C.M.G., J.P. He was educated for a career in the Royal Navy at the R.N. Colleges, Osborne and Dartmouth. He first entered the Royal Navy on 15 September 1917, as a Midshipman in H.M.S. Temeraire, but joined the Royal Air Force in 1920 after a period at the R.A.F. College, Cranwell. He gained his ‘Wings’ on 14 September 1921, being certified as an efficient pilot on Bristol Fighters by OC 12 Squadron. He served with No. 20 (Army Co-op) Squadron in India 1924-27, and was present as a pilot during the operations in Waziristan. He became a Wing Commander in 1939 and Group Captain in 1940 on the Air Staff of Bomber Command. Promoted Air Commodore in 1943 on his appointment to the North African Air Staff, after a period as a Station Commander in England. He served with 2nd Tactical Air Force in 1945 and, having raised the unit, was Commandant of the Central Bomber Establishment from 1946-48. He became Director of Air Force Welfare in 1948, and Air Officer Commanding, R.A.F., Gibraltar in 1949. Promoted Air Vice Marshal on 1 January 1950, Spencer completed his career as A.O.C., No. 19 Group, 1950-52, with H.Q. M.E.A.F. 1952-54, and at H.Q. Technical Training Command 1954-56. Air Vice Marshall Spencer retired on 10 July 1956 and died on 7 December 1969; sold together with Czech Pilot’s Badge, by Firmin, and the recipient’s Pilot’s Flying Log Book for the period February 1921 to July 1925, the Log Book slightly fire damaged, otherwise very fine and better (15)

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Sold for
£5,500

Starting price
£2800