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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 431

(x) An M.B.E. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Commander J. W. Wickham, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy, an early helicopter rescue Pilot who was lucky to come out unscathed when his Westland Dragonfly crashed 'into the drink' in Hong Kong Harbour whilst lifting off from H.M.S. Unicorn

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd Type, Military Division (M.B.E.) Member's breast Badge, silver; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (Lieut. J. W. Wickham. M.B.E. R.N.); Korea 1950-53 (Lieut. J. W. Wickham. M.B.E. R.N.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, mounted court-style as worn, traces of lacquer, both named Medals with officially re-impressed naming, very fine (6)

M.B.E. London Gazette 8 June 1950.

James William Wickham was born at Woolwich on 5 May 1925 and was an early helicopter Pilot. He served with No. 705 Squadron (Fleet Air Arm), which was the only unit in the Royal Navy to be equipped with helicopters. Wickham was lucky to come out unscathed when his Westland Dragonfly crashed 'into the drink' in whilst lifting off from H.M.S. Unicorn on 10 September 1951. Wickham was due to give a demonstration flight in Hong Kong Harbour but VZ964 lost control transferring from hovering to full flight; it also lost rudder control, lost height, and crashed over the side. The aircraft was a write-off but Wickham survived. Unicorn sailed for Japan later that evening.

Having served in Malaya and Korea he was in Command of 949B Flight from Ark Royal in 1958, which operated the Skyraider. Retired Lieutenant-Commander on 31 January 1959, he died at Hatfield Peverel on 29 September 2004, having latterly worked as a Finance Officer.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£500

Starting price
£350