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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 225

The British War Medal awarded to Serjeant J. Helsby, 1st/6th Lancashire Fusiliers attached 20th Squadron, Royal Air Force, who was killed in action with German fighters

British War Medal 1914-20 (51777 Pte. J. Helsby. Lan. Fus.), good very fine

Joesph Helsby was born at Sutton, Lancashire on 8 April 1899, the son of George and Ellen, Helsby of 42 Fisher Street, Sutton. Enlisting with 6th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers on 31 May 1917 he applied for a commission with the Royal Flying Corps. While this was refused Helsby was recommended for the role of Non-Commissioned Officers with the unit and served attached to the Royal Air Force as an N.C.O. observer from 5 April 1918.

Still only serving attached to the R.A.F Helsby joined 20th Squadron in France. Flying a patrol with 9 other aircraft on 2 July 1918 the formation was ambushed a large number of German machines from Jasta 56, in a running battle the British pilots claimed 3 kills. The German force managed to down only 2 British aircraft but one of those hit was Helsby and his pilot Lt. B. T. Davidson flying BF C850. Helsby's body was initially not found and he is commemorated upon the Arras Memorial however a body was later found which is believed to be his and is buried at the Menin Road South Military Cemetery; sold together with service records, M.I.C. and application for commission as well as census data, Commonwealth War Graves data and photographs of both the Arras Memorial and the recipient's grave along with extracts from Lethal Company and 20 Sqn. Postscript.

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Sold for
£95

Starting price
£40