Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Balloon Section Defence of Ladysmith and 1914 Mons group of six awarded to 2nd Lieutenant C. E. Cullen, an original member of the Royal Flying Corps and one of only 37 R.F.C. recipients of the Army L.S. & G.C.

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Laing’s Nek, Belfast, Cape Colony, S.A. 1901 (574 Bglr., R.E.) the last two clasps unofficially attached; 1914 Star, with clasp (18 F.Sjt., R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with oak leaf M.I.D. emblem (2.Lieut., R.A.F.); Defence Medal; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (18 Fl.Sjt., R.F.C.) the group mounted as worn, together with the Victorian Army L.S. & G.C. awarded to his father (21659 Gunr. H. C. Cullen, Dist. Staff R.A.), good very fine (7) £2000-2500

M.I.D. London Gazette 19 October 1914 (Sir John French), the very first list of R.F.C. mentions, on which Cullen is the first name.

M.I.D. London Gazette 11 July 1919 (No. 59 Squadron).

Army L.S. & G.C. awarded in April 1915, one of only 37 to the Royal Flying Corps.

Charles E. Cullen was born at Dover Castle on 30 October 1882, his father being a Gunner there. He joined the Royal Engineers in December 1896 as a Bugler, aged 14 years 2 months. Cullen served in South Africa with the 2nd Balloon Section, Royal Engineers, and was present at the Defence of Ladysmith (Q.S.A. and 6 clasps confirmed, the clasps for Cape Colony and S.A. 1901 appearing on a supplementary roll). In 1910 he appears on the list of the Balloon School as a Corporal, and in 1911-12 he is shown in 3rd Balloon Coy., R.E. He joined the Royal Flying Corps on its formation, as a Sergeant with regimental number 18. He was promoted to Flight Sergeant on 1 July 1914 and proceeded to France on 13 August 1914 with “C” Flight, 2 Squadron R.F.C., being mentioned in French’s despatch of 8 October 1914. He was promoted to Sergeant Major in March 1915, subsequently becoming Disciplinary W.O. in 13 Squadron, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant, R.F.C., on 9 October 1917, becoming Equipment Officer with 59 Squadron for which he was again mentioned in despatches for his good work. Cullen retired in October 1927 under the age ruling, having reached 45 years.