Auction Catalogue
An important M.C. group of three awarded to Lieutenant G. S. L. Hayward, No. 22 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, the third highest scoring Gunner Ace of the Great War
Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse inscribed (Lt., Roy. W. Kent Reg. & R.F.C., Vert Gallon March 1918); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut., R.A.F.) good very fine (3)
M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On three separate occasions when engaged with large hostile formations, he has attacked and sent crashing to earth two hostile machines on each occasion. He has displayed consistent skill, courage and determination in dealing with hostile aircraft.’
Lieutenant Hayward was an Observer Gunner of outstanding merit in a Squadron which had many “Ace” pilots and Observers. He is credited with no less than 25 victories in ‘Above the Trenches’, making him the third highest scoring Gunner “Ace” behind Lieutenant C. G. Gass (39 victories) and Sergeant R. M. Fletcher (26 victories). Notable amongst Hayward’s successful combats were nine single-seater scouts, all of which appear in the official victory tally of three notable 22 Squadron “Aces”: Sergeant E. J. Elton (16 victories of which 3 were shot down by Hayward); Captain F. G. C. Weare (15 victories of which no less than 5 fell to the guns of Hayward), and Captain W. L. Lewis (10 victories including 1 shot down by Hayward). It is important to remember that Hayward actually shot down these machines himself, they are not shared victories with his pilot, although the victory was officially credited to the pilot. Official Combat Reports for these nine victories and one further victory are sold with the group.
It is claimed that No. 22 Squadron made the first sortie of the new Service when the Royal Air Force was formed on 1st April, 1918 (‘Aircraft of the Royal Air Force’ by Owen Thetford), and if this is so, Lieutenant Hayward was one of the first four men to fly on a mission with the R.A.F. The Squadron Record Book for April 1st shows that two Bristol Fighters took off at 8.30 a.m. on Offensive Patrol, followed 10 minutes later by another six machines. The Flight Commander, Captain Weare, with Hayward as his regular Observer, presumably took off first, the second Bristol having Lieutenants Davison and Morgan as its crew. There is certainly no doubt whatsoever that the group photograph of members of 22 Squadron, taken after the completion of this patrol, was the first ever taken of members of the new Service. A copy of this historic photograph and several others are sold with the lot.
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