Orders, Decorations and Medals

An extremely rare Great War R.A.F. D.C.M. pair awarded to Second Lieutenant P. Spargo, Royal Air Force, who died of wounds in Salonika whilst flying with No. 17 Squadron

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1504 Sjt., R.A.F.); 1914 Star, with clasp (1504 2/A.M., R.F.C.) the star officially re-impressed, together with two original photographs of Spargo with Greek patriots, nearly extremely fine and one of only six D.C.M’s awarded to the R.A.F. in the Great War (2) £2500-3000

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When clouds were low and weather conditions unfavourable, he flew at a height of 300 feet, and in face of intense rifle and machine gun fire dropped his bombs on the objective, destroying a machine gun emplacement, gun and crew. He then flew along the hostile trenches, bringing machine gun fire to bear on the occupants, and caused many casualties. He then returned to his areodrome for more bombs, but in view of the weather conditions he was not allowed to go up again.’

Only six Distinguished Conduct Medals were awarded to the Royal Air Force during the Great War. Percy Gardiner Spargo was born in Cheshire and joined the Royal Flying Corps as a 1st Class Pilot on 13 August 1914, on an open-ended enlistment. He was promoted to Sergeant on 29 May 1917, transferring to the Royal Air Force with the rank of Sergeant Mechanic. He was later commissioned Second Lieutenant and posted to No. 17 Squadron in Salonika, where he died of wounds on 18 September 1918, aged 23 years. He is buried in Sarigol Military Cemetery, Kriston, Greece.