Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Great War campaign group of four awarded to Major S. A. Currin, Royal Air Force, late Royal Marines, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Flying Corps, who was one of 59 ‘motor owner drivers’ of the Royal Automobile Club who volunteered to transport officers out in France in 1914 - the majority of them being sent to the Royal Naval Division and subsequently appointed to commissions in the Royal Marines

1914 Star, with clasp (Temp. Lieut. S. A. Currin, R.M., Attd. R.N. Div.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major S. A. Currin, R.F.C.); Italy, Order of St. Maurice & St. Lazarus, Cheavlier’s breast badge, gold and enamel, this last with enamel damage, otherwise very fine or better (4) £600-800

Sydney Allen Currin was a ‘gentleman driver’ of the Royal Automobile Club who volunteered his services shortly after the outbreak of hostilities and quickly found himself recruited by the Royal Naval Division - he was granted the honorary rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Marines on 24 September 1914 and landed in France three days later.

Subsequently gaining appointment as a Temporary Lieutenant in the “Wavy Navy” in April 1915, he was attached to the Royal Naval Air Service as a Kite Balloon Officer, but transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an Equipment Officer in November 1915, in which capacity he was recommended for the M.C. by Trenchard in October 1916, who stated:

‘He has been employed on the Staff at Headquarters, R.F.C., for the last year, and a great deal of the credit is due to him for having kept the Kite Balloons in the air continuously. His arrangements for the very difficult question of the supply of gas have been excellent, and seldom has a balloon had to wait more than twelve hours for its gas. Also, the supply of material and keeping it up to strength has been entirely due to his efforts.’

In the event Currin was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 4 January 1917 refers), and, later still, awarded the Italian Order of St. Maurice & St. Lazarus (London Gazette 26 May 1917 refers).

Advanced to Captain on the Technical Staff of the newly established Royal Air Force in April 1918, he ended the War in the acting rank of Major and was transferred to the Unemployed List in April 1919. However, judging by accompanying research, the Major’s interest in aviation remained active and, as late as 1935, he was acting as President of the Nottinghamshire Glider Club. He died in London in July 1947; sold with copied research.