Original British WWII Royal Air Force Parade Uniform of WWI Ace Pilot Harold Alfred Whistler Original Items

Original Set: One Set Only. One of England’s finest, HAROLD ALFRED WHISTLER, was born December 30th. 1896, the son of a Clergyman in Theddlethorpe, Lincolnshire. He went to OUNDLE School and on to London University and the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. Commissioned in the DORSETSHIRE Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant. On July 19th. 1916 he transferred to THE ROYAL FLYING CORP and was certified to fly September 29th 1916 as a Flight Officer.

He flew with 3 Squadron and was wounded in Action on January 29th 1917. Upon his recovery he joined 80 Squadron as Flight Commander, and between then and the close of hostilities on November 11th 1918 he established himself as an AIR ACE with 23 Victories flying Sopwith Camels. Included is a Group Photograph from WW1, we believe from 1917/18 showing Whistler’s unit with him sitting on the extreme left of the four Officers in row two. He was exceptionally tall as both his uniform and the photograph confirms.

He was awarded the DSO on November 2nd 1918 and the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) on February the 8th. 1919. This was followed by TWO MORE DFCs during the rest of his career.

Whistler was promoted to Squadron Leader on July 1st. 1927, and commander of 55 Squadron in operations against the NAJD Bedouin Tribesmen at that time. He was subsequently promoted to GROUP CAPTAIN on July 1st 1940 and took the post of CHIEF OF STAFF of RAF INDIA as a temporary AIR COMMODORE.

On a return trip to the United Kingdom from India on an Imperial Airways Handley Page H.P.42 it disappeared without trace over the Gulf of Oman on 1 March 1940 with eight on board.

On March 1st 1940 he was a return trip to the United Kingdom from India on an Imperial Airways Handley Page H.P.42, which was lost over the GULF OF OMAN ending what might have been an exceptional WW2 career.

What we offer is GROUP CAPTAIN WHISTLER’S full parade R.A.F. uniform, consisting of:

-His Light Blue Tunic of very high quality, made by BURBERRYS the displaying the FOUR guilt cuff bands of a Group Captain together with his “Wings under King’s Crown” and high ranking Officer’s decorated guilt collar. The breast of the Tunic bears multiple Medal loops and the owner’s named inked into the inside pocket.(A.H.WHISTLER)

-Together with his Dress Uniform Trousers with Cavalry under the shoe buckled straps and gold taping down the outside seam of each trouser leg.

-Best of all is his Full Dress RAF plumed leather Parade Helmet complete with chin strap and RAF Powder Blue plume to front over RAF guilt Helmet badge with the official RAF motto:- “PER ARDVA AD ASTRA” under a crown.

A very tall Officer, probably about 6′ 6″ tall, making a most impressive figure as well as being a WW1 Ace in his early life. Fully cleaned and ready to display.