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Auction: 22002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 228

The 'Balloonatics' D.S.O. group of five awarded to Lt. Colonel the Hon. A. S. Byng, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps, Royal Naval Air Service, the son of the 5th Earl of Stafford and nephew of Field-Marshal Byng who was an early Kite Balloon pioneer over the trenches of the Great War

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; 1914-15 Star, naming unofficially erased; British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. HON. A. S. Byng. R.A.F.); France, Republic, Legion of Honour, 4th Class, silver-gilt and enamel,

D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1918, the official recommendation states:

'Since the formation of 5th Balloon Wing in December 1916, Lieutenant Colonel Byng has commanded this unit with marked skill and ability. By his energy he has brought the Companies under his command to a high pitch of efficiency and has helped materially to improve the system of co-operation between artillery and balloons.'

Legion d'honneur London Gazette 17 December 1917.

Antony Schomberg Byng was born at Kensington, London on 31 March 1876, the son of the 5th Earl of Stratford, Earl Francis and Lady Emily Byng. Notably he was also a nephew of Field Marshal Viscount Byng of Vimy, Commander of the Third Army and Governor of Canada. The elder Byng did not expect his father to succeed to the title - which he did after his brother was killed by a train at Potter's Bar. His son was educated at Radley and later entered the London Stock Exchange, being listed on the 1891 census as a Stockbroking Clerk.

Byng was by no means a natural soldier, being described as 'of exceedingly gentle disposition' (The Times 11 April 1934, refers) and more naturally inclined to scientific and economic pursuits. It was an encounter with the famed proponent of air power Air Commodore Edward Maitland which turned Byng's mind towards flying. Maitland was an early adherent to the idea of using balloons for both scouting and, with the development of the airship, fighting. Byng meanwhile took a role as Chief Petty Officer with the Royal Navy on 8 October 1911; it was not until war broke out that he received a Commission as Flight Sub-Lieutenant on 29 April 1915 with the Royal Naval Air Service. When the Admiralty caved into Maitland's pleading for a balloon training centre at Roehampton Byng joined him there as part of the Kite Balloons Section. Posted to No. 6 Kite Balloon Section, Royal Naval Air Service, he is listed as serving with this unit during the Battle of Loos.

Promoted Flight Lieutenant on 8 August 1915 and serving with this unit until the Army took over the Balloon Service, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 26 May 1916. That same day, Byng was posted to 6th Kite Balloon Squadron, whilst listed as a Captain serving on the General List (Balloon Operations). Promoted Major he was given command of 5th Kite Balloon Squadron on 5 July 1916 - this unit was renamed 5th Balloon Wing on 5 December and Byng was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel. His unit was always kept at peak efficiency; this resulting in his receiving a 'mention' on 11 December 1917, and later that week the French Legion d'honneur. This may connect with the location of his unit at this time as they were positioned around the southern end of the British line in early 1918, at Morlancourt, near French positions.
Byng survived the war and died in London on 8 April 1934; sold together with an original leather photograph case containing photographs of the recipient and his wife, and copied research including extracts from The Balloonatics, The Times, Who Was Who and The Distinguished Service Order as well as service records, M.I.C. and medal rolls along with census data, copied photographs and an auction listing for the medals of Air Commodore E. Maitland.

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Sold for
£2,200

Starting price
£1100