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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 473

The very rare and well-documented Great War Royal Flying Corps D.C.M., M.M. group of nine to Warrant Officer J. C. Jones, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps and Air Battalion, Royal Engineers; Jones was a pioneer of the Royal Flying Corps and took No. 54

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (54 A. S. Mjr: J. C. Jones. R.F.C.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (54 Fl. Sjt: J. C. Jones. R.F.C.); 1914 Star, later slide clasp (54 1/A.M. J. C. Jones. R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals (54. S.M.1. J. C. Jones. R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1937; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (54. S.M.1. J. C. Jones. R.A.F.), contact marks, very fine and a superb combination (9)

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1917. The Citation followed on 13 February 1917:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. His energy and example have materially contributed to the increase of output of the Aeroplane Repair Section.'

M.M. London Gazette 3 June 1916. Sold together with a copy of Army Form W.3121, which confirms this award was originally for the award of a D.C.M.:

'Is in charge of the riggers in the Aeroplane Repair Section, No.1 Aircraft Depot. The efficiency of the riggers in the section is due in no small measure of his untiring efforts, example, and devotion to duty.'

James Coram Jones was born on 14 July 1888 at Edgware, London. An Air Ministry Warden prior to his military service, he enlisted into the Royal Engineers Air Battalion on 21 July 1910. He transferred from the Air Battalion to the Royal Flying Corps on 13 May 1912 and was alotted No. 54. He became Air Mechanic 1st Class at the Aircraft Park in France on the 16 August 1914.

He was promoted to Temporary Sergeant Major on 1 March 1916, being awarded both the D.C.M. and M.M. during the course of the Great War, was made Warrant Officer Class I on the formation of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918 and being the Chief Master Mechanic (Technical). Awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal on 21 July 1928, from 1 October 1935 he was Station Warrant Officer at 11 Flying Training School at Whitteringham, Peterborough. Having been awarded the 1937 Coronation Medal, in March 1938 he was the 14th most senior Warrant Officer in the entire Royal Air Force, and last on the list with seniority going back to the Great War. By November 1941 he was ninth most senior and by October 1944 he was fourth. Retired on 29 June 1945, the following statement was provided on his service:

'Throughout his Service has shown exceptional ability in the trade of Rigger Aero and has been employed as a Warrant Officer Engineer for the last 30 years. His conduct and general bearing have at all times been beyond reproach.'

Jones died on 20 August 1965.

Sold together with the following original archive:

(i)
Certificate of Service and Discharge of the Royal Air Force (2).

(ii)
Document confirming appointment as Warrant Officer Class I, this with old copied extracts for his D.C.M. and M.M. pasted to the reverse.

(iii)
Named certificate for the Coronation 1937.

(iv)
Royal Air Force Certificate of Service and Release, besides copied research.


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Sold for
£8,500

Starting price
£4800