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Auction: 16003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 1

SOLD BY ORDER OF A DIRECT DESCENDANT

The Good Albert Medal, 2nd Class, For Saving Life on Land Group of Four to Air Mechanic (later Corporal) Alfred Edward Simms, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps, Who Gallantly And Successfully Extinguished A Fire Within A Large Bomb Store in France 'Which Contained Nearly 2,000 High Explosive Bombs, Some Of Which Had Very Large Charges, And a Number Of Incendiary Bombs Which Were Burning Freely', Together With Three Other Members Of No. 12 Squadron, Entering The Store With Complete Disregard For His Own Safety, 3.1.1916
a) Albert Medal, 2nd Class, For Gallantry in Saving Life on Land, the reverse officially engraved 'Presented by His Majesty to 2nd Class Air Mechanic Alfred Edward Simms, Royal Flying Corps, for Gallantry in Saving Life in France on the 3rd January, 1916', edge knock at 3 o'clock, the monogram very slightly loose, with the slightly damaged case of issue
b) 1914-15 Star (5538 2.A.M. A.E. Simms. R.F.C.)
c) British War and Victory Medals (5538. Cpl. A.E. Simms. R.A.F.), the third with light contact marks, otherwise nearly extremely fine, together with:
- Two portrait photographs of the recipient
- The damaged letter of confirmation of the award of the Albert Medal, Second Class, to the recipient's mother dated 8.4.1916
- The recipients 'Small Book', Royal Air Force Discharge Certificates of both the Great and Second War
- Correspondence with the Albert Medal Association
- Letters of recommendation regarding the recipient (Lot)

A.M. London Gazette 19.5.1916 2nd Class Air Mechanic Alfred Edward Simms, Royal Flying Corps
'On the 3rd January, 1916, at about 3 p.m., a fire broke out inside, a large bomb store belonging to the Royal Flying Corps, which contained nearly 2,000 high explosive bombs, some of which had very large charges, and a number of incendiary bombs which were burning freely. Major Newall at once took all necessary precautions, and then, assisted by Air Mechanic Simms, poured water into the shed
through a hole made by the flames. He sent for the key of the store, and with Corporal Hearne, Harwood and Simms entered the building and succeeded in putting out the flames. The wooden cases containing the bombs were burnt, and some of them were charred to a cinder.'

5538 Corporal Alfred Edward Simms, A.M., born Wimbledon, Surrey, September 1898. He served with the Royal Flying Corps during the Great War on the Western Front as Air Mechanic, 2nd Class from 5.9.1915.
A letter directed to the recipient's mother, simply headed 'FRANCE' and dated 8.4.1916 gives further insight:
'Madam, It is with very great pleasure that I am able to inform you that His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to confer the Albert Medal of the Second Class upon your son, 1st Class Air Mechanic A.E. Simms. This medal is conferred for the conspicuous courage shown by him on the occasion of a fire at a large bomb store in January last. There is no doubt his devotion to duty was instrumental in saving many lives and thousands of pounds worth of property, aircraft, etc. I would ask you to ensure that this letter is not published, for the benefit of your son, to whom serious consequences would ensue. Yours faithfully, [Signed] Major, Commanding No.12 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.'

Simms served with the Royal Flying Corps and newly formed Royal Air Force throughout the War, being discharged 11.3.1920. The three letters of reference all provide interesting and positive reports, however that of Flying Officer Goodall, No.1 Group Headquarters, R.A.F. provides the most detail:
'To any who may find themselves the employer of Corporal Simms, R.A.F.. This N.C.O. worked for me for many months at the Equipment and Personal Depot R.A.F. Chingford, and during that period I discovered his unusual abilities as transport mechanic. His knowledge of petrol engines was in every way exceptional and he was inbred with that peculiar 'engine sense' which is not the gift of every mechanic. He was a very valuable addition to my transport staff and I appreciated his work very much. It was never necessary to explain the fault of any particulars to him; the car was handed over to him in an unserviceable condition, and was not returned until it was in every respect ready for the usage to which every ... vehicle in the Royal Air Force was subjected. I am impressed with his practical knowledge of technique in relation to all things connected with petrol engines and would heartily recommend him to any competent employer in the motoring world. He is worthy of a trustworthy post in the hands of an understanding master.'

Simms served with the Royal Air Force as a Fitter at Watford, from December 1920 through January 1922, latterly returning to the Royal Air Force between October 1935 and April 1936. Simms died at Glastonbury, Somerset, 5.11.1969.

Four Albert Medals, For Saving Life on Land were awarded for the actions at St. Omer, 3.1.1916. 2nd Class Air Mechanic Simms, together with Corporal H. Hearne and 1st Class Air Mechanic H.S. Harwood were awarded the Albert Medal, Second Class, For Saving Life on Land. Major Newall, 2nd Gurkha Regiment, attached Royal Flying Corps, later Marshal of the Royal Air Force The Lord Newall, G.C.B., O.M., G.C.M.G., C.B.E., A.M. was awarded the Albert Medal, First Class, For Saving Life on Land.

One of a total of approximately fourteen Albert Medals, For Saving Life on Land (First or Second Class) to the Royal Flying Corps & Royal Air Force.

For the medals to his father, see Lot 89.


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Sold for
£8,500