British, WWII - Post-WWII, Militaria Archive: Major Michael E.G. Spencer (273187) RA / Army Air Corps. WWII France & Germany Stars, Confirmed Palestine GSM (WO100/519), 651 AOP Squadron RAF Flying Log Book (Tiger Moth/Auster), Insignia, Photos & Archive

*British WWII–Cold War Militaria Archive: Major M.E.G. Spencer (273187) RA / Army Air Corps. France & Germany Stars, Verified Palestine GSM (WO100/519), 651 AOP Sqn RAF Flying Log Book (Tiger Moth/Auster), Insignia, Photos & Complete Personal Archive.*

An exceptional, highly researchable named British Royal Artillery (RA) and Army Aviation archive centred on Major Michael Edward Glanville Spencer (Service No. 273187). This remarkably complete biographical time capsule charts his life from wartime service and pilot training through early Cold War aviation appointments, overseas deployments, retirement, and family affairs.

Medal Group & Confirmed Campaign Service:
The group features his original campaign medals: the 1939–45 Star, France & Germany Star, War Medal 1939–45, and the General Service Medal with 'Palestine 1945–48' clasp, alongside matching ribbon bars and insignia.

Official medal rolls definitively confirm his campaign entitlement: Roll Details: Spencer, M.E.G. – Service No. 273187 – Temporary Captain – Royal Artillery – 651 Air Observation Post (AOP) Squadron RAF – Palestine 1945–48 Clasp – National Archives Ref: WO100/519. While separate official paperwork for his WWII stars is not present, his documented wartime service in North-West Europe strongly supports these awards as his original, lifelong group.

Officer Service Record & Career Timeline:
Born on 30 April 1924, Spencer’s papers and original curriculum vitae detail an extensive 19-year military career: 1 year in the Other Ranks, 2 years wartime Emergency Commission, and 16 years in the Regular Army (including 13 years as Captain and 3 as Major). Army List entries confirm his War Substantive Lieutenant seniority from 1 May 1943, placing him at prime combat age during the 1944 liberation of Europe.

His original Officer’s Record of Service Book logs postings with:
- 25 Medium Training Regiment RA & 148 Training Battery
- 123 OCTU
- HQRA 50th (Northumbrian) & 51st (Highland) Divisions
- Central Command India
- 151 & 651 Air Observation Post Squadrons RAF
- 173 Locating Battery RA & 62 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
- Overseas Theatres: North-West Europe, India, Palestine, Egypt, Libya, Hong Kong, and Cyprus.

RAF Flying Log Book & Operational Deployment:
The centerpiece of the aviation material is an original RAF Form 414 Pilot’s Flying Log Book, converted into an operational field scrapbook. Early entries at No. 22 E.F.T.S. Cambridge document initial pilot training on the De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth before transitioning to Auster light aircraft (Marks IV, V, VI, and T7).

As Spencer moved to active service with 651 AOP Squadron RAF, the log provides a day-by-day record of tactical movements across the volatile Palestine and Middle East theatres.
- Recorded Airfields: Haifa, Rafah, Ramat David, Fayid, Aqir, and Kolundia.
- Meticulous Aircraft Serials: VF502, VF497, VF498, VF499, TW631, TW632, TW633, and TW636.

Insignia, Ephemera & Rare Photographs:
Logbook Inserts: Features Cambridge training certificates, Auster technical data, pilot competency endorsements, and a rare practical field manual titled "Inspection of an Auster after a heavy landing."

Coherent Insignia Group: Contains embroidered pilot wings, formation patches, and collar badges tracking his rise from artilleryman to Section Pilot, Flight Commander, Squadron 2IC, and Flying Instructor.

Photographs: Dozens of original airfield snapshots, group portraits, and a large staff photograph with typed identification of decorated aircrew (including Captain Spencer, Capt. Kendal DFC, F/Lt Stratton AFC, Capt. Radcliffe DFC, and F/Lt Forwell DFC).

Localized History & Complete Personal Archive:
The Okehampton Incident: Includes newspaper clippings and a rare, signed witness statement and letters by Captain Spencer regarding a controversial April 1958 live-fire incident on the Dartmoor artillery ranges.

Biographical Family Archive: Preserves deep domestic paperwork, marriage documents to Peggy Gladys Apthorpe, divorce settlements, and his son's adoption papers, family wills, offering a profound look at post-war officer life.

WW1 Family Link: Includes a surviving WWI military document for Captain Wilfred Edward Chetwode Spencer (2/89th Punjabis, Indian Army & Royal Sussex Regiment), adding an extra layer of generational provenance.

History Note:
Air Observation Post (AOP) units operated in one of the most specialized, high-risk roles in British military history. Maintained by the RAF but flown entirely by Royal Artillery officers, these completely unarmed, fabric-covered light aircraft served as the airborne eyes of the artillery, spotting targets directly over enemy lines. They form the direct operational precursor to the modern Army Air Corps (AAC) founded in 1957.

*Condition*
The entire archive is in very good, estate-fresh condition. The RAF Flying Logbook is structurally sound with secure binding and highly legible handwriting. Original loose inserts, maps, and photographs exhibit expected minor age-toning and handling creases from authentic field use. Medals display a pleasing, honest service patina. An exceptional, uninterrupted biographical record. Please inspect all photographs for visual condition verification.