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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 239

(x) Pair: Lieutenant R. A. Greenwell, Royal Air Force, late Royal Field Artillery; a gallant 'Balloonatic' who was mentioned in dispatches for remaining in his balloon despite heavy German shell-fire

British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. R.A. Greenwell. R.A.F.), extremely fine, together with two pieces of cut rope believed to have come off Greenwell's damaged balloon (2)

Robert Alan Greenwell was born in Sunderland on 19 August 1897, the son of a ship owner. Educated at Argyle House School, he was a prominent member of Ashbrooke Boys Sports Club and Sunderland Cricket and (Rugby) Football Club. The 1911 census gives his address as 8 Victoria Avenue, Sunderland. After training in Durham University O.T.C., he joined the Royal Field Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant on 13 March 1915. From 12 July 1917 he served on the Western Front with the 10th Balloon Section, Royal Flying Corps, being later mentioned in a despatch by Sir Douglas Haig (London Gazette 11 December 1917, refers):

'Lt. R Greenwell stayed in his balloon (No 10) while under heavy shell fire for 50 minutes, as he had registered three guns of the 5th Siege Battery on to a hostile battery and wished to observe the shooting. When the balloon had been badly holed, he threw his maps overboard and descended safely by parachute.'

Promoted to Balloon Commander on 12 November 1917, he became a full Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force in April 1918. In 1922 his medals were sent to 56 Cleveland Road, Sunderland. He remained in the Territorial Army Reserve during the Second World War. On 13 November 1948, having exceeded the age limit, he relinquished his commission and was granted the honorary rank of Captain. He died in Lincolnshire in 1984.

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Sold for
£260

Starting price
£100