Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War D.F.M. awarded to Private 1st Class (Aerial Gunner) A. E. Humphrey, Royal Air Force, late Royal Naval Air Service, who downed an enemy aircraft firing his spare gun from the shoulder - and continued to engage the superior enemy force until severely wounded

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.V.R. (222927 Pte. 1 (A.G.) Humphrey, A. E., R.A.F.), slack suspension rivet, edge bruises and contact marks, good fine £2500-3000

D.F.M. London Gazette 21 September 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘Aerial Gunner A. E. Humphrey has made 23 trips of 40 hours all told over enemy territory, and has proved himself a capable, cool and resourceful Gunlayer, in particular on 29 July 1918, when escorting a special and important reconnaissance over the Yser River. His machine was attacked by eight enemy aircraft and, after firing several rounds his gun jammed, so he immediately picked up his spare gun and, firing from the shoulder, brought one enemy aircraft down and continued firing on the others until he was severely wounded. His pilot spoke very highly of his conduct during the engagement.’

Albert Edward Humphrey was born in Silvertown, Essex, in May 1895, and joined the Royal Naval Sir Service in October 1916. Having then largely been employed at R.N.A.S. Eastchurch in the intervening period, and qualified as an Aerial Gunner in April 1917, he was posted to Dunkirk in January 1918, in which capacity he went on to win his D.F.M. for above cited deeds that July - admitted to 44 Casualty Clearing Station with severe gunshot wounds to his legs and arms, he was evacuated to the U.K. in early August.

Humphrey latterly served as an Observer on No. 202 Squadron and was transferred to the R.A.F. Reserve as a Sergeant Mechanic in February 1919; sold with the recipient’s original Certificate of Transfer to the Reserve, together with related research, including copied service record.