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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 383

General Service Medal 1918-62, 1 clasp, Southern Desert Iraq (F/O. F. L. Kingham. R.A.F.), contact wear, edge bruising, nearly very fine

Frank Leslie Kingham was born at Paddington, London on 27 June 1892, the son of Frank and Lousia Kingham of 1 Blackshaw Road, Streatham. Working as a Telegraph Messenger prior to attesting on 30 March 1908, with the rank of Boy Class II. Promoted Boy Class I on 30 October 1908, while at H.M.S. Impregnable, further advanced Ordinary Telegraphist on 27 June 1910 while aboard the Lord Nelson. Later that year he returned to H.M.S. Impregnable where he was again promoted Telegraphist on 27 December 1910. Kingham switched from telegraphy when on 1 July 1914 he specialised as an Air Mechanic and was soon promoted Leading Mechanic on 1 January 1915. Advanced Pilot Officer Mechanic on 1 August 1915 he saw home service for the majority of the war, transferring to the R.A.F. on 27 September 1917 with the same rank. He was stationed at Cherburg and later joined No. 2 Wing on 15 February 1918.

After the war he was stationed in Central Asia supporting the British Caspian Sea fleet, here he was involved in the bombing of Fort Alexandrovsk on 22 May 1919. Kingham served here in the capacity of an Observation Officer, and received a ‘mention’ for this role on 9 October 1919. Here the small British Caspian Flotilla, previously assigned to support Dunsterforce was engaged in an aggressive reconnaissance against Soviet positions on the Caspian Sea. They attack and destroyed a Soviet Fleet and its land-based support on 22 May with support from an R.A.F. seaplane which launched five raids against Soviet Shipping. Kingham was later promoted Flying Officer (Intelligence) on 7 December 1926 while serving with No. 4 Armoured Car Company in Iraq.

Transferring to the R.A.F. Depot, Uxbridge on 9 March 1929, he performed roles in Headquarters Air Defence of Great Britain from 7 May 1929 and Coast Defence Co-operation Flight East Church from 8 May 1930. Promoted Flight Lieutenant on 1 January 1931 he retired on 28 September 1932 but joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve being commissioned Flight Lieutenant with the Equipment Branch on 1 September 1939 and promoted Squadron Leader on 1 June 1940. Kingham relinquished his commission on 13 April 1942; sold together with copied research including extracts from Flight Magazine, R.A.F. operations 1918-38 and more relating to the Caspian Sea Operations 1919 as well as census data, service records and former auction listings.

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Sold for
£900

Starting price
£270