Tom Whittaker's M.B.E., in original fitted case, inscribed gilt M.B.E. (Mily) Tom Whittaker was from a military family and had been born at the East

Tom Whittaker's M.B.E., in original fitted case, inscribed gilt M.B.E. (Mily) Tom Whittaker was from a military family and had been born at the East Cavalry Barracks in Aldershot. He fought in both World Wars. At the age of 19 Whittaker was called up to the British Army and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1917, stationed at Lydd in Kent. He later switched to the Royal Navy before being demobilised in 1919. During the Second World War, Whittaker completed the full set of services to the British Armed Forces by joining the R.A.F. where he trained as a pilot and rose to the rank of Squadron Leader. For his services on missions on D-Day, he was awarded a M.B.E.