Six: Flight Sergeant S. King, Royal Air Force, late Royal Lancaster Regiment and Royal Flying Corps

1914 Star, with clasp (1043 2/A.M., R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals (1043 2 A.M., R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals, together with a pair of his identity discs and an “Old Contemptibles Association” lapel badge, the Great War awards a little polished, nearly very fine, the remainder rather better (9) £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Roy Bartlett Collection of Awards to the R.N.A.S., R.F.C. and R.A.F..

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Solomon King was born in Ely, Cambridgeshire in February 1891 and originally enlisted in the Northamptonshire Regiment (Special Reserve) in February 1908. Transferring to the Regular Army with an appointment in the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment in November of the same year, he served in the U.K. as a Private in both the 1st and 2nd Battalions prior to transferring to the newly created Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing) in August 1913.

King subsequently served out in France without interval from 13 August 1914 to 28 November 1918, his first appointment being in No. 3 Squadron, which qualified him for his 1914 Star and clasp. His service record further notes that he was tried by Court Martial in January 1916 for being ‘absent from his work’ and for ‘breaking out of his billet’, and was sentenced to 28 days field punishment No. 1. That September, however, he gained advancement to Air Mechanic 1st Class and, in August 1917, to Corporal (Driver M.T.), and he was finally demobilised from the Royal Air Force in November 1920.

King rejoined the Royal Air Force on the renewal of hostilities and was employed as a driver in the rank of Flight Sergeant, in which capacity he served out in France with the B.E.F. from September 1939 until 16 June 1940. He was released in September 1945.

Sold with two Great War period portrait photograhs and the recipient’s original R.A.F. Service and Release Book.