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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 313

The unique Great War 'Balloonatics' D.F.C., D.C.M. group of five awarded to Captain G. G. L. Blake, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force - late Lieutenant, Royal Navy

Blake entered the Royal Naval College aged twelve and at the outbreak of the Great War was a Lieutenant; he managed to get himself Court Martialled and dismissed for charges which included smuggling spirits on board a vessel; not to miss any action he enlisted in the ranks of the Royal Flying Corps

He was in the thick of the fighting and completed some 470 Operational Hours: on at least five occasions he was compelled to Parachute from his Balloon, whilst under heavy Enemy Aircraft Fire

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in its John Pinches, London case of issue; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (24107 Fl: Sjt: G. G. L. Blake. R.F.C.); 1914-15 Star (Lieut. G. G. L. Blake. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. G. G. L. Blake. R.A.F.), each mounted on individual pins as worn, cleaned, traces of lacquer, very fine and an extremely rare combination (5)

Provenance:
Spink, July 2010, Lot 14 (when Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant).

Approximately 92 Distinguished Conduct Medals awarded to members of the Royal Flying Corps during the Great War, this a unique award for Balloon work.

Approximately 35 Distinguished Flying Crosses awarded to Kite Balloon Officers, thus surely a unique combination of awards.

D.F.C. London Gazette 3 December 1918:

'Throughout the recent operations this officer has rendered most valuable service in face of heavy hostile fire and attacks by enemy aeroplanes, compelling him on three occasions to parachute. He has completed 470 hours in the air, displaying gallantry and initiative of a high order.'

D.C.M. London Gazette 18 June 1917

'For conspicuous courage and determination while observing from a balloon, which was brought down by hostile aircraft. Though injured, he immediately ascended again, and was once more shot down. This N.C.O. has rendered valuable services at all times.'

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 May 1917.

George Godfrey Leigh Blake was born on 4 May 1892 at Southsea, Hampshire, 1892, the son of the Reverend G. L. Blake, Royal Navy. The young Blake entered the Royal Naval College Dartmouth as a Cadet in 1905 and passed out in 1909, being appointed as Midshipman in Bacchante on 15.9.1909. Made Sub-Lieutenant on 15 January 1913, he was advanced Lieutenant on 25 October 1915.

Joining the books of Africa on 9 January 1916, he was tried by Court Martial and dismissed on 4 February 1916, for absence without leave, wilful disobedience and smuggling spirits on board ship. So ended a promising career in the 'Senior Service'.

Not to be perturbed, he returned home to 2 Ladbroke Square, Holland Park and enlisted into the Royal Flying Corps at South Farnborough on 1 March 1916. He clearly admitted the reasons for his leaving the Royal Navy upon the Attestation Record, also noting 'Entered Navy at age of 12 yrs'.

The following month he was back into action in France, where he served from 26 May 1916-16 July 1917. Advanced Sergeant on 1 August 1916, he served with No. 14 Kite Balloon Section and qualified as a Balloon Observer on 1 October 1916 and was made Flight Sergeant on 1 January 1917. As evidenced by the citation for his first decoration this work was not for the feint of heart and saw him solo and fully exposed to the enemy when at work. Blake was commissioned Temporary 2nd Lieutenant on 17 July 1917 and served with 3rd Balloon Wing Headquarters, from September 1917. He then served with 10th Balloon Company from November 1917 and served with 45 Balloon Section, 12th Balloon Company, January 1918-October 1918. Made a Lieutenant in the Kite Balloon Section on the formation of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, he served with the 18th Balloon Company Headquarters from October 1918. Blake was made Acting Captain on 6 November 1918 and had added a D.F.C. and a 'mention' to his laurels by War's end.

In later life he resided at West Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight and returned to the fold during the Second World War, being made a 2nd Lieutenant in the 20th Battalion, Hampshire Home Guard. He died on 10 May 1945.

Sold together with his original presentation ribands for the decorations, Royal Air Force Commission Document and an attractive photograph album featuring portrait photograph of recipient in R.A.F. uniform, besides the recipient's Naval career, from his time at R.N.C. Dartmouth onwards and several newspaper cuttings related to the work of the Balloonatics.

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Estimate
£10,000 to £15,000

Starting price
£8000