Mervyn Mitton

Zulu - nice that you have identified it's origins. As you mention in an earlier reply these little daggers move around in upper Africa and get sold in the bazaars. Quite an attractive little piece. Are daggers your main collecting interest ? Mervyn

Hello Zulu 57. Welcome to GMIC. Have you seen the posts on Iklwas - Zulu spears - you will find it at the top under British - I think under badges. We will look forward to seeing some of your collection. Mervyn

Rim

RAF

He is shown as RAF which is correct. The two - RFC and RNAS merged in 1918

I am going to show a number of naming pictures. The rim is narrow - which makes it difficult to film - and also, I should think, for naming. Personally, I think he lost his DFM between the Wars - you will have seen that he ignored his age and re-joined in WW2. He was in Nthn. Ireland on Atlantic flights to guard shipping. Like a lot of groups, when he died his eldest daughter had the DFM and log book. The next eldest lives in the UK and has the 1st WW medals. Unbelievably, the third one is in the States and has the WW2 medals. They will never be re-united, however, this Award stands on it's own. Apart from the history of the RNAS and his heroic background - which I hope will prove of interest - I will appreciate comments and advice on this apparent mystery. I have been remiss in not drawing his papers - which will be my next task - however, what do you think ? Has it been re-named - are there any further details that the researchers amongst us, might be able to help me with ? I look forward to comments. Oh ! One other thing - I also have his goggles (bit delapidated ) and - a big chunk of shrapnel (with attached 'bloody' gauze) from when he was shot down. He had a long time in hospital, which is why his award was not Gazetted until 1/1/1919

The Fokker

Bristol - 2

The Bristol - Part 1

Part 3

Part 2

Page 1 on a short history of the RNAS

This picture shows a Bristol in action

'Nulli Secundus 1 ' - the first airship in the RNAS - and the first posting when he was a Marine. He was an airgunner in the wicker basket that hung below. He remained an airgunner in WW1

The listing for the highest number of planes brought down by members of the RNAS. He is shown a no. 6

Lower entry showing his entry for a 'kill'

A double page from log - this is the top half

His Logbook. Note the word Pilot has been crossed out

These came with the Medal. He is front centre in top photo. He is believed to be in the Bristol in centre. Bottom - a Fokker they were probably engaging.

Part 2 of Victories list

Part 1 of his Victories

Some Service history - note that he started off on RNAS Airships

So, we've seen the medal - one of 105 Awarded. Value wise - well in excess of 5000 pounds $8000 ! Now to the person - firstly he was in the Royal Naval Air Service. Secondly, he was one of the 'aces' of the air battles of WW1. The next three posts will cover this background.

Original ribbon was horizontal - which changed soon after the medal was introduced to these slanted lines - which are similar to the DFC

Part one of the mystery - I understand that this is more the type of box used for WW2 Awards