Orders, Decorations and Medals

A scarce Great War A.F.M. group of four awarded to Flight Sergeant Herbert S. Eltringham, Royal Navy, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force, later a crewman on the Airship R-36

Air Force Medal, G.V.R. (313711 F/Sergt., R.A.F.); 1914-15 Star (M.3485 E.R.A.3 R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (M.3485 C.P.O.M.3 R.N.) good very fine (4) £1400-1800

See Colour Plate VIII

A.F.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919.

Herbert Sisterton Eltringham, a fitter and turner in civilian life, was born in Gateshead in 1890 and joined the Navy on a twelve year engagement in 1911. Rated E.R.A., he served in naval shore establishments during his pre- and early war service. He was assigned to the R.N.A.S on 1 August 1916 with the rate of C.P.O., and to the R.A.F. on 1 April 1918 with the rank of Chief Mechanic and the trade classification of Fitter A.E. He served at Longside Airship Station, Scotland, in 1918 from which anti U-boat patrols were flown over the North Sea. He subsequently served during 1918 and 1919 at the Kingsnorth, Pulham, Howden and Bedford stations, and was made Flight Sergeant on 15 March 1919. In early 1921 he was a crewman on the rigid airship R-36 which during a flight on 2 April of that year suffered the collapse of her upper fin and rudder whilst carrying a number of reporters and Air Ministry officials. Flight Sergeant Eltringham completed his twelve year engagement at 4 F.T.S., Abu Sueir, Egypt, and with No. 6 Squadron at Bagdad, Iraq. Sold with copied R.N.A.S. and R.A.F. service records and other research.