Description
1914-15 Star Trio, Africa General Service Medal, GV, bar Somaliland 1920, 65197 Corporal William McIlwraith, Royal Air Force, former Cameron Highlander, wounded in action in France.
1914-15 Star officially impressed: “11501 Pte W. Mc Ilwraith. Cam’n Highrs.”
BWM and Victory officially impressed: “S-11501 Pte. W. Mc Ilwraith. Camerons.”
AGS officially impressed: “65197 Cpl. W. Mc Ilwraith. R.A.F.”
An extremely rare award of the Somaliland 1920 bar to the Royal Air Force, an RAF Disciplinarian and Aircraft hand, who had originally fought with the Cameron Highlanders in France since his early enlistment during September 1914, having received gun shot wounds to his left arm and leg he was sent home and upon his recovery was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 22nd February 1917.
After the end of the war he served overseas in Egypt from 13th November 1919, and became one of only 222 RAF Officers and Men of “Z” Unit, Royal Air Force, to take part in the newly sanctioned Military Operations to finally put the “Mad Mullah” out of action in Somaliland 1920.
Following the campaign he returned home and was discharged on 28th June 1920, returning home to Glasgow.
