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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 325

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

A Great War D.F.C. and Bar awarded to Lieutenant C. R. Pithey, No. 12 Squadron, Royal Air Force and Royal Flying Corps

A skilled R.E.8. Pilot, he opened his account with the unusual accolade of two Balloons, Pithey gained Ace status by downing three Pfalz D.III's in one combat on 7 June 1918; raising his final score to 10 'kills', he was to lose his life crossing the Irish Sea by air in February 1920

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, the reverse contemporarily engraved 'Lieut. Croye Rothes Pithey. late R.A.F. Deceased 21.2.20.', with its original investiture pin, good very fine, together with his original cloth Wings and Royal Flying Corps cigarette case (Lot)

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

'When on reconnaissance 8,000 yards behind the enemy lines he saw a hostile balloon on the ground; descending to 1,700 feet, he and his observer engaged and destroyed it. He then completed his reconnaissance. On another occasion, when on photography work, he was attacked by nine hostile scouts. By skilful manoeuvring he enabled his observer to shoot down three; the remaining six dispersed. He displays the greatest courage and determination in photographic and reconnaissance work.

On another occasion, when on photography work, he was attacked by nine hostile scouts. By skilful manoeuvring he enabled his observer to shoot down three; the remaining six dispersed. He displays the greatest courage and determination in photographic and reconnaissance work. '

Second Award Bar to D.F.C. London Gazette 3 August 1918:

'Lieut. Pithey and his observer, Lieut. Rhodes, have crashed five enemy aeroplanes and driven down five out of control; in addition, they have shot down two balloons in flames, displaying conspicuous courage and skill on all occasions. On 1st September, they attacked an enemy two-seater on contact patrol; this machine at first retired east but returned, accompanied by six scouts, to the attack; after a short engagement they were driven off, and Lieut. Pithey, although his machine was badly shot about, continued his patrol and brought back a most valuable and accurate report.'

Croye Rothes Pithey was born in Natal on 19 August 1895 and attended Maritzburg College as an accounting clerk in Johannesburg for Deloitte, Plender, Griffiths & Co. from February 1916-May 1917, when he joined the Royal Flying Corps. Made 2nd Lieutenant in October 1917, with effect from September 1917 and joined No. 12 Squadron in April 1918, being wounded shortly after arriving with them. Operating the rather outdated R.E.8, together with his Observer Hervey Rhodes, the pair forged a highly successful partnership. On 7 May & 4 June they took down an enemy balloon, a highly unusual feat and gained 'Ace' status on 7 June when downing three Pfalz D.III's in one combat at 0920hrs. Having been wounded again on 24 July, they raised the score to 10 'kills' by September 1918, the pair were both severely wounded on 27 September which ended their flying for the Great War. Pithey was evacuated to England and admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital.

Granted a permanent commission, he was lost at sea on 21 February 1920, as recorded in Flight:

'The Air Ministry regrets to announce that three aeroplanes which left Shotwick, near Chester, to fly to Baldonnel, near Dublin, on Saturday the 21st ultimo, are missing. The machines left Shotwick at 2.06 p.m., and should have arrived at Baldonnel by 4.30 p.m. The pilots were Flying Officer C. R. Pithey, D.F.C., Flying-Officer H. L. Holland, and Flying-Officer H. de W. Waller, all three experienced pilots. Flying-Officer Holland has made the trip previously. The machines were fitted with wireless, and were tested by the pilots before leaving. The weather was reported favourable on both sides of the Irish Channel. The machines started in formation. Flying-Officer Pithey leading, and were sighted between Denbigh and Rhyl shortly afterwards, but failed to arrive at Baldonnel. No further news was obtained until the morning of the 23rd ultimo, when a wireless message was received by the Admiralty from the master of the Norfolk Range dated the 21st ultimo, and reporting that an aeroplane had come down in the sea 85 miles S.W. of the Scilly Islands at 4.35 p.m. on that date. The message stated that the lifeboat was launched and every effort made to rescue the pilot, unfortunately without success owing to a rough sea and strong wind.'

Pithey, who was just 24, is commemorated upon the Hollybrook Memorial at Southampton.

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Estimate
£2,000 to £3,000

Starting price
£1700