Miniature Medals

A rare Great War D.F.M. pair awarded to Sergeant J. C. Hagan, Royal Air Force, one of the first two ever awarded in June 1918

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.V.R. (113763 Sergt., R.A.F.); French Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, with M.I.D. oak leaf and bronze palme; together with R.F.C. cap badge and related British War and Victory Medals (S-14650 Pte. H. Hagan, Seaforth) good very fine (5) £2000-2500

D.F.M. London Gazette 3 June 1918, citation London Gazette 21 September 1918: “A gallant and skilful aerial gunner who shows the greatest keenness in his work on patrol. On one occasion he shot down an enemy machine after he himself had been wounded.” One of only two D.F.M.s gazetted in June 1918, the first ever awarded.

M.I.D. London Gazette 20 May 1918. French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 17 August 1918.

John Charles Hagan came from Ulverston, and enlisted in the Army on 12 January 1907. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an N.C.O. Observer on an open-ended enlistment, was promoted to Sergeant in February 1918, and transferred to the R.A.F. with the rank of Sergeant Mechanic. His Great War Medal Index Card states that his 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals were all ‘Returned undelivered’.