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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 252

(x) 'Of all those laughter-loving and heroic birdmen who have flown away forever into the far West, there were few who perceived such a profound appreciation of the wonderful joy and adventure of living as "Charles" did. He was a youth of South Africa at its best.

His attractive nature reflected the warmth of his country, his superb character was open and unabashed as its wild veld, his infectious laughter gave back something of that golden happiness which revels in the sunshine. His own people his friends and his fellow-soldiers loved him not only for the man he was destined to be, but for what he was - just for the boy himself.

He was one of those rare beings, who move among us now and then, the perfect embodiment of happiness, gentility and chivalry.'

The Late Lieut. Charles R. Perring, R.A.F., An Appreciation, refers.
A sole-entitlement Great War D.H.9 Pilot's British War Medal awarded to 2nd Lieutenant C. R. Perring, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps and Artist's Rifles, who suffered a flying accident whilst ferrying an aircraft to France and died the following morning from a shock-induced heart attack

British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. C. R. Perring. R.A.F.), nearly extremely fine

Charles Richard Perring was born on 12 April 1895 at Johannesburg, the second son of Charles Cambert Perring of 116 De Korte Street, Wanderers' View, South Africa. A passionate artist, Perring left school and took employment on the staff of the Village Main Reef G.M. Co. Ltd., but soon tired of civilian life and purchased his passage to England in May 1916. Arriving at London, Perring attested for the Artist's Rifles O.T.C. the following month, but transferred to the Royal Flying Corps at Hendon on 11 November 1916.

Appointed 2nd Lieutenant on 3 February 1917 and posted to the General List, Perring was appointed Flying Officer on 9 June 1917 and served as a Delivery Pilot at the Aircraft Acceptance Park, Hendon:
'He quickly became an adept pilot and for close upon two years flew many types of machines between England and France without any serious mishap. His commanding officers and fellow pilots spoke highly of his charming personal qualities, his ability and popularity as an officer, his skill and resource as an airman' (An Appreciation, by Gilbert E. Chittenden, refers).

On 8 August 1918, Perring left Hendon Aerodrome piloting a D.H.9 aircraft which was allotted for delivery to No. 211 Squadron, Royal Air Force. For reasons unknown, Perring was involved in a flying accident and was subsequently evacuated to Shorncliffe Military Hospital. He died the following morning from a heart attack brought on by the shock of the accident, his body having no outward signs of any injury. Interestingly, both his parents later died of heart attacks, indicating a predisposition in the family. Aged just 23 years, Perring is buried at Hampstead Cemetery, London. Sold together with the following archive:

(i)
A plastic wallet file containing copied research by the present vendor, copied service record and approximately 20 original snapshot photographs of Perring with friends and family, including 'Mrs Morty', cousin to Perring's mother Agnes and a resident of 11 Burgess Park Mansions, Hampstead.

(ii)
A second larger file of 59 x A4 pages containing approx. 160 photographs taken by Perring from 1916-18, these showing fellow pilots, pranged aircraft, periods of leave spent at Turnberry, Scotland, and further images of friends, family and landscape/landmark scenes. Many of the images are annotated in pencil, thus identifying the sitters, the album culminating in a series of contemporary newspaper clippings relating to friends K.I.A. or recorded as P.O.W.'s.


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Sold for
£270

Starting price
£100