Mervyn Mitton

Naming on LSGC ........................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6209-0-66555500-1363539056.jpgclick......................

LSGC .......................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6209-0-98562800-1363538953.jpgclick............................

Naming for 2nd WW Star ..................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6209-0-92272400-1363538826.jpgclick................

Naming for WW1 Star .........................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6209-0-56185700-1363538708.jpgclick................

His group of 9 medals. From left - WW1 trio - issued by the RAMC. He served first with them before joining the RFC. These are shown in his papers as their issue. Followed by the 1935 Jubilee Medal for King George 5th. This and the LSGC are shown correctly mounted at the end of the bar. The LSGC is the lovely old style from 1908 for the "Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas " In the middle are his 39/45 Star, Africa Service Medal, War Medal and his Africa Service Medal. These were issued to his wife after the War . ...............................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6209-0-74352600-1363538196.jpgclick.....................

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I am open to correction, however, I think only South Africa issued Bronze memorial plaques for the fallen in World War 2 ? ...................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6209-0-52452900-1363537742.jpgclick.................

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SAAF Badges and Insignia from the 1920's and 30's. Top rigrht is the first badge from 1922. ....................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6209-0-58617400-1363536988.jpgclick............................

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For reference - SAAF badges from the earliest period .....................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6209-0-47906800-1363536727.jpgclick..................

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The FALLEN .....................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6209-0-39708600-1363535653.jpgclick.........

............................Lt. Colonel M.E.Whitaker............... The South African Air Force Memorial - .......................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2013/post-6209-0-49051600-1363535499.jpgclick......................

The SAAF obviously thought highly of W/O 1 Whitaker. You will see in his papers that he was sent to Britain to under-go a course on aviation mechanics. He also was sent to visit airfields - this was possibly a high level delegation , of which he formed a part. He was issued an official diplomatic passport and visas show that he visited Germany, Egypt, Yugoslavia and Poland. I presume they were checking to see how things would be if war was declared. I have never seen this type of passport. He was promoted to the rank of temp. Lt. in early 1939. With the expansion on the declaration of War he was promoted temp. Captain on the 1/8/1939. Exactly a year later he was promoted to Acting Major. On the 22/12/1941 he was made a temp. Lieutenant Colonel. All of these were engineering ground appointments. He was at Air HQ in East Africa on the 3/1/1941 and was O.C. No.9 Air Depot on the 22nd Dec. 1941. He was destined for high appointments and had he lived we might have been surprised at his Rank and possible awards. He was appointed as SAAF Engineering Officer attached to the South African High Commission in London and was travelling by transport ship to take-up the appt. in March of 1943. He died in the water, on 16th March 1943. From small badges it would appear that he was a passenger on His Majesty's Transport ship Devonshire. The family story is that he was torpedoed by an Italian submarine off the coast of Algeria. There is a most moving 5 page letter from a fellow officer who helped him on a life raft. He later wrote to Col Whitaker's wife to give her the details of his death. I will probably, also post this on the Lounge for members who do not read British Forums. If anything tells you of the futility of War , it is this letter. I have been unable to find any details of the transport Devonshire being sunk (remember, there was also HMS Devonshire , a County class cruiser) The nearest ship to the date he would have been sunk was off the Canaries in the Atlantic. Strangely, his records do not give details I will continue now with photos of his equipment - and also some details from the SAAF Roll of Honour - where he is commemorated.

The South African Air Force was first established by the S.A.Defence Act of 1912. By April of 1914 6 Prob. Lts. in the ACF (Active Citizen Forces) were sent for training to Britain. 5 joined the Royal Flying Corps. in 1914 and took part in early recon. and Artillery spotting. Quite a number of other men joined them, however, they were withdrawn to SA to take part in actions in German South West Africa and in the campaign in East Africa. The South African Air Force was established on 1 Feb. 1920. They had 113 aircraft - 100 donated by Britain and 13 from other sources. Following training No. 1 Squadron came into being , using two trained flights. By 1923 - soon after Whitaker was on strength - thay had a total of 17 officers and 218 o/r's. With the early date of their founding, they are the 2nd oldest airforce in the World. 1935 saw expansion planned to have 1000 pilots and 1700 air mechanics. 1939 there were 100 aircraft of different designs , 160 officers (of whom Whitaker was a Lt.) 5 Officer Cadets and 1500 o/r's. There was great expansion with the start of WW2 and by 1941 the SAAF had 1709 aircraft, a total strength of 31,204 - and included in this,956 pilots.

I have a feeling from reading his papers that he found civilian life difficult - and there was a serious depression in Britain at that time as men - newly de-mobbed - found it difficult to find jobs. Although , in his case he was employed by several firms as a fitter and who later gave him excellent testimonials. The newly founded South African Air Corps had been started early in the War - I will go into a brief history of the unit later. However, early in 1920 they became the South African Air Force. Whitaker seems to have heard about this and paid for himself to come out to South Africa where he wrote from the Eastern Cape to apply for a job. His copy letter and copies of testimonials he supplied will be shown later. He was immediately taken on and brought to the Transvaal and the first SAAF airfield. Known then as Robert's Heights (Field Marshall Lord Roberts - commander in the Boer War) but, this was later changed to Vootrekkerhoogte. He was a Private on admission, but within a year was promoted Corporal. Being a trained mechanic/fitter and with service with the RFC / RAF he was a most welcome addition to their limited numbers. Pte. Whitaker joined the SAAf on August 10th 1922. His records show that he moved- up the ranks fairly quickly - although the numbers of the Force remained small at this time of his service. He is shown as being a Sergeant, a staff sergeant and a Warrant Officer 2nd class in the early 1930's . In 1934 he received his LSGC for 20 years service - interestingly this type had been changed by the British in 1930 - however, Sth. Africa must have still been using-it. I think it is one of the better British LSGC's - named as "For the Permanent Forces of the Empire serving beyond the Seas". We still had an Empire in those days. I am going to give a short history of the SAAF in the section. This will give you a little background on what was, a small Dominions airforce.

I am going to be showing the Officer's medals + all of his other equipment. This will be a long thread and it may-be that I will have to do it in stages - I will see how my hands hold-up. Very rarely do all of the accoutrements of a senior rank remain with the medals and I think you will find this of interest. I will split the post into three parts - Introduction - Lt.Col. Whitaker & his medals and equipment - and finally, 27 pages taken from his file. I do not normally give praise - however, this research was made possible by Audrey (Rhino Research) who lives in Johannesburg and is one of our members. Because of the length of the article I will 'pin' it for a while. Please remember, that Brian and I are always looking for good articles, within the British sections, that we can pin and award an Administrators' Certificate of Merit. .................................INTRODUCTION............................. Lieutenant Colonel Maurice Edward Whitaker was born in Britain in 1895. From his papers he was a man of fairly humble origins and after a basic education was apprenticed as a motor mechanic in a garage. Remember , this was about 1910, so the very early days of vehicles. Around 1912 he joined the Territorial Army and was posted to the 5th. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) - a famous Regiment. With the outbreak of War in 1914 it appears that he became a Regular and is shown as serving from 4/8/1914 to 14/7/1916 with the 2nd West Riding Ambulance Corps. This would have been attached - or, was part of the KOYLI. He served in France and would have been a stretcher bearer - one of the most dangerous of jobs. On 14/7/1916 he was transferred to serve as a Fitter with the British Royal Flying Corps. There was no gap between units. His former occupation of motor apprentice was of value and he served with the RFC until 19/2/1919 when he was demobilised This post has been promoted to an article

Welcome to GMIC - AFM. A wonderful record of service for your Family. I hope you will gradually add posts to cover some of the more active members. With regard to Pte. Treverton - this would make a very interesting post - and you have access to many items which would illustrate it well. Particularly, the Zulu War Medal. We will hope to see you posting regularly and I think you will find our members will show a lot of interest. Mervyn

daviator - your back ref. came out - but not your comment. Welcome to GMIC - and have another 'go'. Mervyn

Thankyou Megan. His bravery and sad death has earnt him a place in history. Mervyn

Hi - Mike. Yes - that I like. Really has a bit of 'swagger' about it................ Mervyn

Steve - the helmet for SA Forces with a tan colour. I had forgotten that it had been sold. However, two came in this morning and I will despatch one early next week. A little rust - if you need to re-spray please let me know, I will pay for the tin. Mervyn

Hi - Ed. What does the crop look like - I would think something close must be available in other countries. Mervyn