Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A poignant Great War SE Scout fighter pilot’s pair awarded Sergeant Pilot A. J. Wing, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who flew with 84 Squadron in France, was credited with one enemy aircraft forced down out of control, and killed in action the very next day - 5 November 1918 - just six days before the Armistice was signed, and making him the squadron’s last casualty of the Great War

British War and Victory Medals (3433. Sgt. A. J. Wing. R.A.F.) mounted on card for display, generally good very fine (2) £400-£500

Arthur John Wing was born in Fareham, Hampshire in 1894, and was the son of Mr and Mrs W. Wing of Boarhunt Common, Fareham. He was employed as a Chauffeur prior to the Great War, and enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps in February 1915. Initially employed as a Driver, Wing advanced to Sergeant in January 1917, and regraded as Sergeant Mechanic on the formation of the Royal Air Force in April 1918.

Wing qualified as a Pilot on 13 August 1918, and was posted for operational service with 84 Squadron at Assevilleurs, France on 7 September 1918. The Squadron was commanded by Major W. Sholto-Douglas, flew S.E. Scouts, and one of Wing’s contemporaries was the fighter ace Captain A. W. Beachamp-Proctor - then soon to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

Wing was credited with driving down an enemy aircraft out of control on the morning of 4 November 1918. His luck was to run out the following day, whilst the Squadron were carrying out low offensive patrols and attacks on ground targets during bad weather conditions. These attacks considerably disorganised the transport of the retreating Germans, and inflicted heavy casualties. Sergeant Wing failed to return from his sortie, and was later reported killed in action. He was 84 Squadron’s last casualty of the Great War - with the Armistice being signed 6 days later on 11 November 1918.

Sergeant Wing was piloting SE5a E5963 at the time of his death, and he is buried in the Berlaimont Communal Cemetery, France. His headstone gives him the rank of Flight Sergeant, but this is not given on his Record of Service.