Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 254

A fine Great War A.F.C. group of seven awarded to Wing Commander E. R. Pretyman, Royal Air Force, late Somerset Light Infantry and Royal Flying Corps, who was decorated for his command of No. 19 Squadron in France in the closing months of the conflict

Having been wounded as an infantry subaltern at St. Julien in April 1915, he qualified as a pilot and flew operationally in Egypt and Palestine in 17 Squadron, prior to returning to the U.K. on Home Defence duties in B.E. 12a single-seaters of 78 Squadron, in which he was thrice 'scrambled' to face-off Gotha bomber forces

Later, as C.O. of No. 61 Squadron in August 1917, he ordered his 'Pups' airborne on his own authority, when Gothas were reported to be approaching Rochford: it was the right call and his unit became the only one to engage the enemy on that occasion

Air Force Cross, G.V.R.; 1914 Star, copy clasp (2. Lieut. E. R. Pretyman, Som. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Major E. R. Pretyman, R.A.F.); Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Serbia, Kingdom, Order of the White Eagle, 5th Class breast Badge, with swords, in silver-gilt and enamels, the medals a little polished but generally very fine (7)

A.F.C. London Gazette 3 June 1919. The original recommendation states:

'For continuous good work and devotion to duty whilst in command of No. 19 Squadron from 18th September to 5th November 1918. The efficiency of this squadron was undoubtedly due to this officer's inspiring leadership and personal example.'

Serbian Order of the White Eagle, 5th Class London Gazette 15 February 1917.

Edward Radclyffe Pretyman was born in Umballa, India on 29 November 1894, the second son of Major-General Sir George Pretyman, K.C.M.G., C.B. His brother, George, would also enjoy a distinguished career in the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force; see Lot 252.

Educated at Wellington College and the R.M.C. Sandhurst, Edward was commissioned in the Somerset Light Infantry and was embarked for France in the 1st Battalion in August 1914. Having been hospitalised in the interim, with dysentery, he returned to duty and was wounded in the battle of St. Julien on 26 April 1915, suffering 'shell wounds to his head' and a compound fracture of a finger.

No. 17 Squadron - Egypt and Palestine

Upon his recovery, Pretyman undertook pilot training and qualified for his Aviator's Certificate (No. 1762) in a Maurice Farman biplane at Upavon in September 1915. Duly appointed a Flying Officer, he was posted to No. 17 Squadron in Egypt, where he was injured in a flying accident at Abu Gandir on 9 March 1916, when flying as Observer on operations in a B.E. 2. Sadly, the pilot died of his injuries.

On taking the fight to Palestine, 17 Squadron contributed three aircraft to a significant attack in June 1916, one of them piloted by Pretyman. Skies Over the Holyland, by Peter F. G. Wright, takes up the story:

'Wing Commander Salmond ordered a major bombing and strafing attack on the new El Arish airfield for 18 June. Between 0800 and 0930 11 B.E.2c, eight from No. 14 Squadron (six single-seaters, two two-seaters) and three from No. 17 Squadron (single seaters / including Pretyman) in Quntara, made a surprise attack with 76 bombs (two 100lb. and 74 25lb.) and with machine-gun fire, at times coming down to 25m, and destroyed the ready-to-take-off von Bulow Rumpler. The pilot of the plane, Leutnant Dittmar, escaped injury but seven of the ground crew were more or less severely injured. Another pilot, Uffz. Ande, was hit in the lung by a bomb fragment and his airplane was severely damaged. Uffz. Kahnt, who landed his Rumpler with observer Otto Schumberg in the middle of the bombing, was shot in the back. The Pflaz wings were broken. There was a fire in two hangars and two horses were killed. Due to excellent rifle and machine-gun fire from the ground, three British aircraft were hit … '

Pretyman was advanced to Captain and appointed a Flight Commander but was then laid low by a dose of 'Salonika malaria', and evacuated home.

He was mentioned in despatches by General A. J. Murray, C.-in-C. of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (London Gazette 1 December 1916, refers), and awarded the Serbian Order of the White Eagle, 5th Class in February 1917 - this being one of just three awards of this Class to the flying services.

Home Defence - Squadron C.O.

On his recovery, he joined 78 Squadron at Telscombe Cliffs in Peacehaven, Sussex, a home defence unit equipped with the B.E. 12a. And it was in that capacity that he was thrice scrambled to face-off Gotha raids in May-June 1917.

The first occasion was a raid against Folkstone on 25 May, when 21 Gothas caused significant damage, killing 95 and injuring 195; Pretyman was airborne in B.E. 12 A6320 from 1800 to 1945 hours.

The second a raid on Sheerness on 5 June, when 22 Gothas caused less damage but killed 13 and injured 34; Pretyman being airborne A6320 from 1819 to 1955 hours.

And the third a significant daylight raid on London on 13 June 1917, when 18 Gothas caused damage to the value of £130,000 and killed 162 and injured 432; Pretyman was airborne from midday to 1355 hours but had to land at Arlington due to mist.

Promoted to Major and appointed to the command of another home defence unit - 61 Squadron at Rochford - in July 1917, Pretyman acted independently when called upon to deal with another Gotha raid on 12 August. The latter attacked Southend with resultant casualties of 33 Killed and 46 injured, and whilst other home defence units remained grounded, he ordered his Sopwith Pups into action when the Gothas were sighted near Rochford.

Pretyman next took command of 19 Squadron in France, from March to November 1918, but he was laid low by influenza in the latter month and hospitalised. Awarded the A.F.C. and again mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 31 December 1918, refers), he was granted a permanent commission in the R.A.F. after the war.

Subsequent career

His post-war career comprised a variety of appointments in the Middle East and at home, in addition to a tour in the carrier H.M.S. Eagle in the mid-20s.

Advanced to Wing Commander in July 1931, he commanded R.A.F. Hal Far in Malta and R.A.F. Abingdon in the U.K. but was placed on the Retired List at his own request in July 1937, one month after the death of his brother, George.

Recalled on the renewal of hostilities in September 1939, Pretyman served until April 1942. He died at Hythe, Kent in November 1983, aged 88.


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

Estimate
£4,000 to £5,000

Starting price
£3800