The rare Great War 'East Africa operations' D.S.M. group of six awarded to Chief Petty Offic...

The rare Great War ‘East Africa operations’ D.S.M. group of six awarded to Chief Petty Officer 1st Class, later Wing Commander, W. Dickison, 8 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (272318. W. Dickison, C.P.O. 1Cl. R.N.A.S. E. Africa. 1917.) surname officially corrected; 1914-15 Star (272318 W. Dickison. C.P.O. 3, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. W. Dickison. R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted on card for display, generally very fine (6) £1,800-£2,200 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 16 March 1918. Approximately 10 D.S.M.’s awarded for East Africa during the Great War. William Dickison was born in Jarrow-on-Tyne, County Durham in December 1890. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy in January 1907, and advanced to Engine Room Artificer 4th Class in April 1912. Dickison’s service papers give ‘Air Service from 18 Dec. 1913’, and he advanced to Chief Petty Officer Mechanic in July 1914, and to Chief Petty Officer in January 1915. The activities of the R.N.A.S. in East Africa are splendidly recorded in considerable detail in the Cross and Cockade Journal - a series of 3 articles throughout 2007 entitled R.N.A.S. Operations in German East Africa 1914-1918 by Air Vice-Marshal Peter Dye confirm Dickison’s presence with No. 8 R.N.A.S. Squadron from 22 March 1916 - January 1918. His record of service confirms similar service with H.M. Ships Laconia, Manica and Hyacinth, all vessels operating in that theatre at that time. One item in the diary of events recorded in the above mentioned articles states: “Somewhat violent explosion of petrol down at the hangar this evening. CPO Dickison sustained rather severe burns but was otherwise unhurt. The report was as loud as a canon.” On the formation of the Royal Air Force, 1 April 1918, Dickison’s grade of W.O. 2 saw his automatic commissioning in the rank of Second Lieutenant (Technical Branch). He advanced to Flying Officer in October 1919, and was posted to No. 1 School of Technical Training, Halton in April 1920. Dickison advanced to Flight Lieutenant in October 1927, and was posted for service at R.A.F. Base Malta (202 Squadron, Flying Boats). Subsequent postings included with the Inland Water Transport Unit, Basrah, Iraq in September 1929. Dickison advanced to Squadron Leader in April 1937, and served at the Home Aircraft Depot in the same year. He advanced to Wing Commander in September 1940, and was retired 17 December 1940 (his 50th birthday), only to be re-employed in the same rank the following day. Wing Commander Dickison retired from the Service, 27 December 1944. Sold with copied service papers, and research.