Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.C. pair attributed to 2nd Lieutenant F. M. Myers, Royal Flying Corps, late South African Veterinary Corps and Suffolk Regiment, who was killed while serving as an Observer in No. 20 Squadron in March 1917

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in its (damaged) case of issue; British War Medal 1914-20 (2 Lieut. F. M. Myers), this last with edge nicks and polished, thus nearly very fine, the M.C. good very fine (2) £500-700

M.C. London Gazette 25 November 1916:

‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He carried out a daring raid with great courage and skill. Previously he did some valuable patrol work.’

Francis Michael Myers was born in Durban in September 1896, into a Jewish family. Having then attended King Edward VII School in Johannesburg, he attended the Government School of Agriculture in Potchefstroom, where he obtained a diploma in veterinary science in December 1914.

Subsequently enlisting in the South African Veterinary Corps in early 1915, he witnessed active service in German South-West Africa up until August of the same year, following which he travelled to the U.K., where he had been recommended for a commission. Owing to the fact he was not a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, however, he was unable to join his preferred corps, the A.V.C., but he did obtain a commission in the 11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, joining his unit out in France in the summer of 1916, where he quickly distinguished himself and was awarded the M.C.

Subsequently transferring to the Royal Flying Corps as an Observer, he was posted to No. 20 Squadron, in which capacity he was killed in action on 14 February 1917 when his F.E. 2d was badly shot up by German ace Leutnant Paul Strahle of Jasta 18 over Zuidschoote - his pilot, 2nd Lieutenant F. J. Taylor, was compelled to make a forced landing and hit some high tension wires in the process.

On 20 March 1917, Myers’ father wrote to War Office asking for an account of how and where his son met his death, and asking for them to forward his effects ‘particularly the Military Cross, which I believe he had with him.’ His gallant young son was buried in Ferme-Olivier Cemetery.