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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 276

The campaign group of four awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Pepper, Royal Artillery, late Royal Flying Corps, an early aviation pioneer who earned Aero Certificate No. 98 in June 1911 and who was alongside the aviation greats during the first Central Flying School course

British War and Victory Medals (Capt. J. W. Pepper.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (4)

John Willington Pepper was born on 19 January 1882 at Salisbury, Wiltshire and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the South-East of Scotland Artillery (Southern Division) on 4 May 1900 and was commissioned from this Militia unit into the Royal Artillery on 24 May 1902. Pepper saw service in Sierra Leone from 9 August 1907-17 December 1908.

Upon returning home, he soon garnered a keen interest in taking to the air. He gained numerous mentioned in Flight, including when together with Mr Collyns Pizey, he flew to his Artillery comrades at Rolleston Camp, calling upon the Mess in early June 1911. He was further noted as he gained experience and skill in the air. Pepper gained Aero Certificate No. 98 on a Bristol Biplane at Salisbury Plain on 27 June 1911. Indeed, he was photographed in Flight soon after gaining his Certificate. He soon was flying the Short Biplane 401 the following year and was on the first Central Flying School course, 17 August-19 December 1912. This saw Pepper further hone his skills alongside household names such as Trenchard and Lieutenant Kirby, who went on to win the Victoria Cross.

Made Flying Officer, Pepper joined the Royal Flying Corps, No. 2 Squadron (Military Wing) in January 1913. The following months saw him undertake a plethora of flights, until his health began to give in, with his last flight with 'C' Wing on 1 May 1913. Pepper went up to Scotland for Medical Board and was forced to give up flying altogether.

Returned to the Royal Artillery, he was made Adjutant of the Pembroke Royal Garrison Artillery on 29 December 1913. Advanced Captain in December 1914, he served overseas in Macedonia from 27 June 1916. He retired as a Major on 9 February 1923 and was on the Reserve of Officers as a Lieutenant-Colonel by 1937. Pepper was Specially Employed during the Second World War and died at Lymington, Hampshire on 3 February 1963.

Sold together with a hand-finished portrait miniature in gilt frame and a quantity of copied research which includes images of the recipient.

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Estimate
£600 to £800

Starting price
£550