Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Great War Kite Balloon Section operations D.S.C. group of six awarded to Major M. Lyon, Royal Air Force, late Royal Naval Air Service, who was decorated for his gallant spotting work for land batteries and gunboats on the Tigris 1916-17

Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1919; 1914-15 Star (AA. 1028 M. Lyon, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (Major M. Lyon, R.A.F.); Defence Medal 1939-45; Egypt, Order of the Nile, 4th class breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, mounted as worn, together with set of related miniature dress medals, the whole contained in an old Gieves Ltd. red leather case, generally good very fine (12) £2000-2500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of medals awarded to those having the surname 'Lyon'.

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D.S.C. London Gazette 17 July 1919:
‘For distinguished services with No. 14 Kite Balloon Section in Mesopotamia from August 1916 to February 1917.’

Mention in despatches London Gazette 15 August 1917 (Mesopotamia) and 3 June 1919 (Mediterranean).

Egyptian Order of the Nile London Gazette 3 June 1924:
‘For valuable services rendered to the King of Egypt.’

Maurice Lyon was born in July 1887, the son of Captain William Lyon of Holme Croft, Edenbridge, Kent. An architectural assistant pre-war, he entered the Royal Navy as an Able Seaman in March 1915, serving variously at the training establishment H.M.S. President, the cruiser Bacchante, and the naval base Europa I in Mudros, prior to transferring to the Royal Naval Air Service in October 1915, when he was commissioned as a Temporary Probationary Flight Sub. Lieutenant - his R.N. rating’s service record is endorsed ‘Land Operations’ but in exactly what capacity he was so employed remains unknown, although most likely it was during his time aboard Bacchante, which ship was employed in the Dardanelles.

In January 1916, Lyon was assessed at Roehampton as ‘An efficient officer, a careful and accurate spotter’, a report that led to him being confirmed in the rank of Flight Sub. Lieutenant and joining No. 14 Kite Balloon Section and the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force. Thus ensued a period of active service from August 1916 until February 1917, in which he was recommended for promotion and awarded the D.S.C., the latter beyond doubt for his gallant work in Drachen Balloons while ‘spotting for land batteries and H.M. Gunboats on the Tigris’ (TNA AIR 76/311 refers).

Back in the U.K. at Roehampton by April 1917, Lyon would appear to have carried out further patrols over the Channel in Caquot Balloons, prior to being posted to Malta as a Temporary Acting Flight Commander in early 1918. Once more recommended for promotion, he was appointed a Major in the newly established Royal Air Force, and transferred to the Unemployed List in April 1919.

His subsequent award of the Egyptian Order of the Nile was awarded for his services as an architect, among other buildings credited to him being the Egyptian State Telegraphs and Telephones Building in Cairo; also see lot 98 for his brother’s honours and awards.