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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 422

(x) A rare campaign group of five awarded to Aircraftman Class II H. Turner, Royal Air Force, who served in Somaliland with 'Z' Flight

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1920 (294034 A.C.2. H. Turner. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (5)

222 'Somaliland 1920' clasps issued to the Royal Air Force.

Herbert Turner was born at Rochdale, Lancashire on 19 November 1899, working as a cotton spinner prior to enlisting in the Royal Air Force on 10 September 1918. Rated as a Wireless Operator he extended his service after the end of the Great War and was posted to Egypt on 12 November 1919.

'Z' Flight

Initially Turner served with the Observation section, 'Z' Flight from 27 April 1920. 'Z' Flight, the R.A.F. Contingent in Somaliland, under the command of Group Captain R. Gordon, consisted of 36 officers and 189 other ranks, of which 4 officers and 25 other ranks formed the Medical Section. The flight was equipped with 11 De Havilland 9A aeroplanes and one DH9 which was fitted as an aerial ambulance. Eil Dor Elan was the main advanced aerodrome with smaller landing grounds at Las Khorai and Eil Dab, with 'Z' Flight flying operations including the bombing of Medishe, Jidbali and Eil Apweina.

Later transferring to the Headquarters section as a Batman on 11 May, he left Egypt on 27 November. Discharged on 6 February 1921, Turner worked as a nurses attendant and was still listed in that role when he re-enlisted with the Royal Air Force Reserve on 14 August 1939. Seeing service in Burma he was demobilised after the war and died in Wythenshawe, Cheshire in 1979; sold together an original box of issue and medal slip of issue for A.G.S.M. and Second World War awards, as well as copied research.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£950

Starting price
£320