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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 527

An impressive Great War D.F.C., 1945 A.F.C. group of seven awarded to Squadron-Leader W. Bentley, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R.; Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1945'; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. Bentley. R.A.F.); General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Iraq, N. W. Persia (F/O. W. Bentley. R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, very fine (7)

D.F.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919. Citation, '...for his gallantry on 28 September 1918' states:

'Lieutenant Bentley has been on 36 bombing raids over enemy territory and did exceptionally good work during the British-Belgian advance (28 September 1918). In addition to the bombing raids he made 4 trips to the lines dropping sacks of food to the troops, within a period of five hours. He with his Observer has shot down 1 enemy machine and has been in numerous indecisive combats.'

A.F.C. London Gazette 3 April 1945.

William Bentley served with the Royal Flying Corps on 5 August 1917 and served with No. 218 Squadron, as part of 5 Group on the Western Front. During his career Bentley flew a plethora of Ops during 1918 and came into contact with enemy aircraft on a number of occasions. Bentley was attacked by no less than 6 enemy aircraft whilst on an attack on the Mole at Zeebrugge on 30 June. This was just a few days after having been forced to take a crash landing on 21 June, which resulted in the propeller being smashed and their undercarriage being wrecked. Thankfully Pilot and Observer walked away unhurt. Bentley was duly rewarded with the D.F.C..

Having seen further active service in Iraq and North West Persia, Bentley was transferred to the Reserve in October 1922. With the outbreak of the Second World War, he was granted a commissioned in the General Duties Branch as Flight Lieutenant on 3 September 1939 and was made Squadron Leader in September 1941. Bentley thence added the A.F.C. to his laurels in 1945, a little over 26 years after having been Gazetted for his D.F.C., some time span!

Sold together with named forwarding letter for the A.F.C, besides photograph of the recipient in later life and copied research.

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Sold for
£5,800

Starting price
£1800