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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 227

An impressive Great War ace's campaign group of nine awarded to Group Captain L. W. Jarvis, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, having notched up 7 victories flying with No. 56 Squadron during the Great War, Jarvis was decorated for his work as Commanding Officer of the Polish Air Force at Blackpool during the Second World War

1914-15 Star (Capt. L. W. Jarvis. Midd'x R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. L. W. Jarvis. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Iraq, Active Service Medal; Poland, Republic, Order of Polonia Restituta, breast Badge with rosette, together with a neck Badge, very fine (9)

Polish Polonia Restituta (Commander) London Gazette 24 September 1943. The citation states:

'He was for over two years Commanding Officer of the Polish Air Force establishment in Blackpool. Working under extremely difficult conditions he was able, thanks to his energy and tact, to gain the confidence and respect of all ranks of the Polish Air Force. As a result of his devotion to duty the problem of the personnel of the Polish Air Force who arrived in Great Britain after the collapse of France was successfully settled to a great extent.'

Louis William Jarvis was born at Cromer, Norfolk on 2 September 1892, one of four brothers. He went to Gresham's School and entered Woodlands House in 1903, having started in 1901, on a County Scholarship. Jarvis ended his time at Gresham's as a Prefect by 1909 and had also played cricket for his house and in his final year made the rugby XV and shot in the VIII, earning promotion to Corporal in the OTC. Having left Gresham's, he went to the OG dinner in 1913, by that time living in Willesden, London for a short-lived career at Lloyds of London. With his career interrupted by the Great War, Jarvis was commissioned into the Middlesex Regiment in August 1914.

He served on Gallipoli with the 10th Battalion as a Captain from July 1915 before his transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. Like his comrade Walkerdine, Jarvis rubbed shoulders with greats like McCudden and served in 'C' Flight, No. 56 Squadron, whom he joined in October 1917. Rising to become a Flight Commander, by the end of the Great War he had notched up no less than 7 victories, his first coming on 19 February 1918 as he recalled;

'I led formation of 4 S.E.s above and behind Capt. Fielding Johnson’s Formation. Crossed the lines at 14,000 at 11.40am just S of Hargicourt. The lower flight dived on some E.A. and I dived on an Albatross Scout at the same time over Lehaucourt and drove him down low (2000ft) East. At about 12.40, dived on 4 E.A. over 51B.Q.31. I fired 30 rounds from both guns at an Albatross 2-seater in this formation. The observer fire about 6 shots at me and then disappeared in the bottom of the fuselage. The E.A. then turned about half-way though my burst, and went down out of control in a slow lopping spiral. I then left him as Capt. Billinge opened fire on him.'

His third, on 23 March, was shared with Walkerdine and a number of other comrades. Gaining further confidence, he gained 'Ace' status on 11 April 1918 over Becourt when he shot down Lt Beyschlag of Jasta 35, who crash landed. His final victory scored on 2 May and was probably Lt Stoy of Jasta 10, who was wounded. Jarvis was posted to No. 1 and 29 Squadron by the conclusion of the Great War.

Remaining in the service, he saw further active service in Iraq and got award from Dunkirk, latterly taking command of the Polish Air Force at Blackpool during the Second World War, at a truly pivotal point in the proceedings. Retired as a Group Captain, Jarvis was made Superintendent at Queen Elizabeth's Training College for the Disabled, Leatherhead and died at Wroxham in 1951; sold together with copied research.

For the awards of Walkerdine, his comrade in No. 56 Squadron, please see Lot 530.

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Sold for
£4,800

Starting price
£2500