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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 199

A fine group of three awarded to Sergeant J. Dewbery, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps, an original member of the Corps who was wounded in action serving as an Aerial Gunner above the Western Front during the 'Fokker Scourge', his injured Pilot J. O'Giollagain somehow successfully nursed their stricken B.E.2. biplane back to safety

1914 Star (359 1/A.M. J. Dewberry. R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals (359 Sgt. J. Dewbery. R.F.C.), together with his Silver War Badge 'RAF 2253', note surname to first, minor staining to third, otherwise good very fine (4)

John Dewbery was born on 19 April 1894 at Kingston, Surrey, the son of John Dewbery and Beatrice Curry of 66 Hawks Road, Kingston Upon Thames, London. Rather than following his father to be a confectioner young Dewbery worked as a motor engineer, before joining the Royal Flying Corps on 17 September 1912 after a three week engagement with the Royal Army Medical Corps.

Appointed Air Mechanic 2nd Class, Dewbery's skills at that time were much in demand, the Corps asking for tradesmen - both skilled and semi-skilled - with priority given to:

'Men who had served as apprentices, or improvers, in general mechanical engineering and had also served in a petrol motor engineering works, including engine test work, or as an engine mechanic. They were required to have a general knowledge of motor engineering, the principles of magneto and coil ignition and be able to make intelligible sketches of machinery details and rough calculations' (A Contemptible Little Flying Corps, refers).

By 18 June 1913, the personnel numbers were given as 102 officers and 569 other ranks, plus a further five of each at Central Flying School. As one of the original 'early birds', Dewbery was promoted Air Mechanic 1st class and posted to No. 5 Squadron which initially operated at Farnborough before relocating to Gosport on 1 July 1914. Following the outbreak of the Great War Dewbery served in France from 14 August 1914, his Squadron flying its first reconnaissance mission on 21 August 1914. The next day, an Avro 504 of No. 5 Squadron, was the first British aircraft to be shot down, its crew of Pilot 2nd Lieutenant Vincent Waterfall and Navigator Lieutenant Charles G. G. Bayly being killed over Belgium (Encyclopedia of Modern Royal Air Force Squadrons, refers).

Appointed Corporal on 1 May 1915 and Sergeant on 1 December 1915, Dewbery was wounded in action on 7 December 1915 serving as an Aerial Gunner in No. 11 Squadron. Admitted to No. 8 General Hospital at Rouen, he was transferred on 16 December 1915 to the Princess Christian Hospital at Weymouth suffering from injuries to the knee and right eye.

Recovered and reverted to the rank of Air Mechanic 1st Class, Dewbery determined to qualify as a Pilot and successfully gained his Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate (No. 4182) at Military School, Thetford, on 31 January 1917 as a Corporal flying a Maurine Farmer Biplane. Promoted Sergeant (1st class Pilot) on 18 April 1917, Dewbery was injured on home duties on 4 April 1918, his service papers noting a fracture of jaw, nose and ankle. Once again he recovered, being taken onto the strength of 23 Wing on 12 September 1918.

Dewbery was discharged unfit on 7 November 1918, his papers noting a level of disability caused by war service and entitlement to small pension. He returned home to his wife Fanny, living at Rocklea, Rockingham Road, Doncaster.

Sold together with copied research and an impressive original archive comprising:

(i)
Original Aviator's Certificate (British Empire), No. 4182, dated 31 January 1917, with photograph of recipient in Royal Flying Corps uniform.

(ii)
Ten portrait and group photographs of the recipient in Military uniform, including early Royal Flying Corps photographs with a variety of aeroplanes.

(iii)
Seven further photographs of his wife and two children.

(iv)
Two photographs from photo-reconnaissance missions showing French and Belgian settlements.

(v)
Original Royal Flying Corps cloth 'Wings' and brass R.F.C. cap badge, as worn by the recipient.


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Sold for
£1,500

Starting price
£800