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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 850

Family group:

Four: Lieutenant J. S. Machin, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps

British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. J. S. Machin. R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with corresponding miniature medals, good very fine

Four: Lieutenant H. S. Machin, Indian Army Reserve of Officers, late Lincolnshire Regiment and Leicestershire Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. H. S. Machin.); Defence Medal 1939-45; Jubilee 1935, with miniature Pair for the Great War, good very fine (14)

John Stanley Machin was born on 31 August 1896, and lived at Oatlands Chase, Weybridge, Surrey. Educated at Lancing College until 1915, he joined the family confectionary business Batcher & Company. Volunteering from 28 March 1917, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps on 23 May 1917, but having been classed as unfit, joined the 44th Kite Balloon Section as an Observer. On 4 September 1918, having ascended to 2400ft, his balloon was attacked by enemy aircraft - he took to his parachute and survived the descent unhurt. Placed on the unemployed list on 24 January 1919, Machin returned to working for the family business. In August 1940 he was re-commissioned as Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and was later appointed Flight Lieutenant serving in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch, before joining the Air Transport Auxiliary. He died on 12 January 1966 in Balham; sold with research relating to his father, Sir Stanley Machin, and copied service papers.

Harold S. Machin was born at Willesden, Middlesex, on 3 November 1891. Educated at Lancing College, where he represented the cricket XI, he went on to serve in the Officer Training Corps. In July 1910 he left Lancing to work for the family firm as an analytical chemist. On 29 September 1914, Machin attested as a Private in the Royal Sussex Regiment, before attending the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps. He was later commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th (Service) Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Transferred to the 1st Lincolnshire Battalion in September 1915, he was later posted to India as part of the Presidency Brigade, 8th (Indian) Division. Serving as a Certified Instructor in Army Signalling, he was promoted Captain on 14 December 1918 and later mentioned in despatches whilst with 1A-Signal Service in Mesopotamia (London Gazette 5 June 1919, refers.). Machin died in Surrey in 1979; sold with Duke of Connaught's bicentennial masonic medal 1717-1917.


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Sold for
£140