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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 346

A fine Second War C.B.E. group of seven awarded to Group Captain G. N. Coward, Royal Air Force, a founding member of the Royal Naval Air Service, who was commissioned into the Royal Air Force and won a trio of 'mentions' in his career - one during the Iraq operations

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.), Military Division, Commander’s 2nd Type neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in its Garrard & Co case of issue; 1914 Star (J.1046. G. W. [sic] Coward. A.M. I.G.R. R.N.A.S.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. G. N. Coward. R.A.F.); General Service Medal 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq, with M.I.D. oak leaves (F/O. G. N. Coward. R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, latter six mounted as worn, very fine (7)

C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1946.

Graham Nelson Coward was born at Devonport on 19 August 1891 and was working as a Clerk at HM Gun Wharf upon his enlistment at Impregnable as Boy 2nd Class on 1 April 1908. He served with the Royal Naval Air Service in France during 1914 and transferred to the Royal Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1918. He served in Plymouth and thence in Baghdad during the Iraq operations, earning his first mention during the campaign (London Gazette 28 October 1921, refers).

Serving in Egypt, 1922-23, Calshot, 1925, Netheravon, 1925, Coward joined No. 100 Squadron in 1926. He saw further postings at the Electrical and Wireless School as an Instructor, before overseas postins at Group HQ, Jerusalem (1930-31), HQ Cairo (1932-35), before returning to Calshot. From 1937-45 Coward served at HQ Coastal Command, adding a brace of mentions (London Gazette 1 January 1943 & 1 January 1945, refer) to go with his C.B.E., with him serving at No. 1 Personnel Holding Unit, Innsworth at the start of 1946; sold together with original letter of congratulation on the C.B.E., besides copied research and extracts.

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Sold for
£1,100

Starting price
£400