Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Sergeant W. Mc C. Barnes, Royal Air Force, late City of London Yeomanry and Royal Flying Corps

British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (14299 Sgt. W. Mc C. Barnes, R.F.C.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (1697 Sjt. W. M. Barnes, City of Lond. Yeo.), generally very fine or better (3) £180-220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the Royal Flying Corps, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force.

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William McClellan Barnes was born in Sydenham, Kent, in July 1873 and originally enlisted in the 2/City of London Yeomanry in March 1910, in which capacity he remained employed until transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in December 1915, as an Air Mechanic 2nd Class (Fitter).

Embarked for France in early 1916, he was advanced to Corporal in August of the same year and was mentioned in despatches for his services in No. 27 Squadron (London Gazette 15 May 1917), the recommendation stating:

‘Corporal Barnes has been in charge of the workshop lorry of No. 27 Squadron. He has done consistently good work and can always be relied upon to carry out any duties satisfactorily.’

Having then returned to the U.K. in March 1917, he was advanced to Sergeant in the same month, and, on being transferred to the Reserve in March 1919, had attained the rank of Chief Mechanic. He was awarded his T.E.M. in July of the same year; sold with copied research.