Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A particularly fine Great War D.C.M. awarded to Air Mechanic 1st Class C. M. Reynolds, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps, who ‘set a magnificent example of fearless devotion’ on the occasion he was wounded in eight places and lost his left arm

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7420 1 Cl. A.M. C. M. Reynolds, R.F.C.); 1914-15 Star (7420 2 A.M. C. M. Reynolds, R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals (7420 1 A.M. C. M. Reynolds, R.F.C.); Belgium, Decoration Militaire, generally good very fine (5) £2500-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to the Coldstream Guards, R.F.C., R.N.A.S. and R.A.F. formed by the late Tom Baugh.

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One of only 92 Distinguished Conduct Medals awarded to members of the Royal Flying Corps.

D.C.M. London Gazette 25 August 1917:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in repeatedly repairing wireless apparatus under heavy shell fire and at great personal risk. On the last occasion he was wounded in eight places and lost his left arm in the execution of his duty, setting a magnificent example of fearless devotion.’

Christopher Maurice Reynolds, who was born in Liverpool in February 1898, enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps as a Wireless Operator in August 1915 and first went out to France that October. Advanced to Air Mechanic 1st Class in October 1916, he is believed to have been on attachment to No. 5 Squadron at the time of winning his D.C.M., his service record confirming he received multiple wounds on 24 June 1917 and that he was evacuated to 26 General Hospital at Etaples before being embarked for the U.K.

Reynolds’ remarkable gallantry also won him Belgian Decoration Militaire (London Gazette 24 September 1917 refers), and he was awarded the Silver War Badge and the King’s Certificate.