A fine Great War M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant A. E. Lancashire, Royal Air Force, late Army Service Corps, Lancashire Fusiliers and Royal Flying Corps, who was decorated for his part in a daring low-level patrol at the time of the German Spring Offensive in March 1918, the type of work that resulted in him ‘rarely returning without his machine being riddled with bullets’: a few days later, he was badly wounded in a combat with the enemy ace Viktor von Pressentin

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in its case of issue; 1914-15 Star (T-576 Dvr. A. E. Lancashire, A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. A. E. Lancashire, R.A.F.), generally good very fine (4) £3000-3500

M.C. London Gazette 22 June 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a flight, lasting over two hours, carried out at a height of 700 feet, he performed a very accurate contact patrol at a critical period, obtaining the most valuable information concerning the enemy’s dispositions. He also engaged many batteries and infantry with machine-gun fire, and throughout, by his courage and keenness, he set a fine example to all ranks.’

The original recommendation for Pilot and Observer states:

‘Lieutenants R. M. E. C. MacFarlane and A. E. Lancashire carried out a most accurate Contact Patrol of the Mezieres Line at a critical time. In spite of much opposition they succeeded in placing the enemy dispositions. During this flight of over two hours they seldom reached a height above 700 feet. An enemy battery was engaged from the air and many casualties caused to enemy infantry by machine-gun fire.

During the recent operations these officers working together have invariably carried out the most successful Contact Patrol work, gaining very much valuable information which they have flown very low to obtain.

They have rarely returned without their machine being riddled with bullets, but their ardour and enthusiasm has never lessened.

They have accounted for many enemy troops and have set a fine example by their total disregard of personal danger and devotion to duty.’

A later recommendation for Lancashire alone reveals a number of low-level missions, some as low as 100 feet, reason indeed for his aircraft often returning to base riddled with bullets:

'31 August 1918: He made a special reconnaissance of the Mont Kemmel district after the enemy's retirement, and located our troops along the Divisional front.

1 September 1918: He made a special reconnaissance during our attack on the Wytschaete Ridge from 100-1,000 feet, locating our posts and tracing the enemy's line over a front of 5,000 yards.

4 September 1918: Under very difficult conditions owing to a heavy smoke barrage, working from 200-1,000 feet, he succeeded in locating the positions of our troops near Wytschaete.

5 September 1918: He located our line along the ridge at 15 points, and also the enemy between the canal and Wytschaete. Height 100-1,000 feet.

29 September 1919: He carried out an excellent contact patrol at 500 feet under extremely unfavourable weather conditions of rainstorms and wind and located our troops on a line of 15 points. Later on in the day he made a special reconnaissance, height 300-1,000 feet - and brought back a good report as to the location of our troops.

2 October 1918: He did an excellent O.P. show clearing up a difficult disputed situation after 41st Division's attack was held up. Our troops were recognised in 16 places along the line in shell holes and ditches - working at 200 feet under heavy A.A. and M.G fire from enemy lines.

14 October 1918: On the early morning of the advance from Gheluwe he carried out a contact patrol from 100-800 feet, locating our troops along the whole Corps front at 14 points, working under a heavy barrage, the smoke from which made observation difficult. Later on the same day he again placed our line at 18 points, a report which was of considerable value to the Corps.

15 October 1918: He carried out a Contact Patrol in very thick mist, which necessitated flying sometimes at 100 feet. He located our line at 14 separate points under heavy machine-gun fire.

17 October 1918: He carried out an excellent Contact Patrol from 50-300 feet in extremely misty weather, and brought back an accurate report as to the disposition of our troops, locating them in 13 different positions.'

Arthur Edward Lancashire, who was born in Prestwick in March 1892, and originally enlisted in the Army Service Corps (Territorial Force) in January 1912, was actively employed in operations on the Gallipoli Peninsula, September to December 1915. Falling ill with jaundice in the latter month, he was evacuated to Mudros in the Hospital Ship Britannic on 3 January 1916, and thence to the U.K. Sufficiently recovered from his illness that September, he applied for a commission, and was duly appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the 17th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, in April 1917.

Later that year, following brief service in France, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and, having attended courses at Reading and Winchester, qualified as a Flying Officer (Observer), in which capacity he joined No. 35 Squadron in the New Year. An Army Co-operation unit, flying Armstrong Whitworth F.K 8s, No. 35 was put under extreme pressure during the German Spring Offensive, Lancashire and his pilot, Lieutenant R. M. E. C. MacFarlane, being forced to land following a combat over Carbonnel in the afternoon of the 24 March 1918 - on this date, as the German advance continued apace, every available aircraft was called upon to make low-level contact and bombing patrols. And it was on a similar low-level mission on the 29 March that Lancashire won his M.C.

However, just a few days later, on 3 April, he and MacFarlane were again forced down by an enemy aeroplane near Villlers Bretonneaux, both of them being wounded - surviving records suggest that they fell victim to enemy ace Leutnant Viktor von Pressentin of Jasta 4, himself destined to be downed in flames a few weeks later. Lancashire was evacuated to the U.K. and admitted to a hospital in Eaton Square, London. He did not return to active service and was transferred to the Unemployed List in May 1919.

Recalled in the 1939-45 War, he was appointed a Lieutenant in the R.A.S.C. in December 1940 (London Gazette 4 February 1941 refers).