Miniature Medals

A Great War D.S.C. group of five awarded to Captain H. A. Furniss, Royal Naval Air Service, late British Red Cross Society and R.N.V.R. Armoured Cars

Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (B.R.C. & St.J.J.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt., R.A.F.); French Croix de Guerre 1914-1917, nearly extremely fine (5) £1000-1200

D.S.C. London Gazette 17 April 1918: “For the skill and courage displayed by them in carrying out many long and valuable photographic reconnaissances over enemy territory, particularly over Ostende on the 21st February, 1918.” (joint citation with Flt. Cdr. C. F. Brewerton, R.N.A.S.)

Croix de Guerre London Gazette 20 July 1917.

Hector Albert Furniss was born on 29 June 1884. He served in France with the British Red Cross Society before being granted a commission as Temporary Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.V.R., for Armoured Cars, in August 1915. In October 1915, he was appointed Observer in the Royal Naval Air Service and eventually joined No. 1 Wing at Dunkirk. On 24 April 1916, he was observer to Flight Sub-Lieutenant H. R. Sims, in a Nieuport 10 biplane, when they attacked an enemy seaplane at 9000 feet. Five miles out to sea north-east of Zeebrugge and after three trays of ammunition had been expended, the German pilot fell forward and the machine nose-dived towards the sea. The observer jumped out at 3000 feet and fell in a horizontal attitude to his end, while the machine on hitting the water, exploded with its own bombs, leaving a large black patch on the surface.

His R.N.V.R. appointment was terminated on 1 April 1917, when he was appointed Observer Lieutenant, R.N.A.S., still serving with No. 2 Squadron, No. 1 Wing, at Dunkirk. He was mainly engaged in Photographic Reconnaissance and made many such flights, especially in the months leading up to the Zeebrugge-Ostende operations, for which he received his well-earned award. In April 1918, his CO reported “Has carried out his duties as Observer with great skill and determination and has fully earned the privilage of going home to qualify as a pilot. An officer of considerable ability and very hardworking. Would make an excellent Squadron Commander.” Furniss was duly appointed to Cranwell for flying training but his subsequent services are not known. Sold with a large quantity of research.