Code: U28092
Rare uniform to Great War veteran Air Commodore Frederick Edward Vernon CB, OBE, MA, DIC. He was born on 17th November 1899 and educated at Loughborough College and joined the newly formed RAF as a 2nd Lieutentant on the 9th August 1918, being appointed a commission in the aeroplane and seaplane branch. On 7th December he was granted a short service commission as a Flying Officer and saw service as a pilot with No.460 & 461 Flights at Gosport, Hampshire. He was appointed a permanent commission on 6th June 1925 and attended the officers engineering course, Home Aircraft Depot, followed by a course at Cambridge University in 1926 and London University (1928), qualifying in Engineering (1929). The same year he was posted as engineering officer (Home Aircraft Depot, No.21 group, Henlow Camp, Bedfordshire). He became Flight Commander of 812 (Fleet Torpedo-Bomber) Squadron in November 1932 and then a Personnel Staff Officer, HQ RAF Mediterranean HQ, Valetta, Malta (1936). Later the same year he joined the Air Staff, Directorate of Operations and Intelligence (later the Deputy Directorate of Operational Requirements) at the Air Ministry. By March 1939 he had gained the rank of Wing Commander and was an Engineer Staff Officer, HQ No.41 Group. In April 1940 he was transferred to the Technical Branch, later becoming Deputy Director of Technical Development in the Ministry of Aircraft Production. In 1943 he was an Engineer Staff Officer at HQ RAF Middle East with the rank of Air Commodore (temporary) and in June 1944, he was appointed Air Officer in Chief, No.206 (Maintenance) Group. After the war Vernon was Senior Technical Officer, Air HQ, British Forces of Occupation and later, Director of Studies, Air Service Training (Pakistan), a post still held when he retired in March 1950. Air Commodore Vernon died on 15th July 1963 at the age of just 63.
Here we are offering Vernon's No.1 Service Dress uniform. It has superb padded silk King's crown pilot wings, brass belt buckle, brass King's crown buttons, Air Commodore rank lace on the cuffs and ribbons for the CB, OBE, WW1 War and Victory, WW2 Defence, War (with mention in despatches oakleaf) and Coronation medals. The tunic and matching trousers were tailored by F.P. Baker & Co. Ltd. of London. The labels in each are named to Vernon as a Group Captain and are dated 13th January 1942. Overall condition is good '+', the tunic has light soiling and some wear with a repair to the left cuff edge, the trousers have wear near the left pocket and a few flaws but nothing serious. A great opportunity to have the uniform of WW1 veteran who became a pre-eminent technical expert. It comes with some basic biographical research. Stock code U28092.
