Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The unique Third Afghan War Observer’s M.C. group of four awarded to Wing Commander J. E. Truss, Royal Air Force

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut. J. E. Truss, R.A.F.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Lieut. T. [sic] E. Truss, R.A.F.) somewhat polished, nearly very fine or better (4) £2600-3000

The only M.C. to the R.A.F. for the Third Afghan War and one of only nine inter-war awards of a similar nature.

M.C. London Gazette 19 September 1920:
‘For bravery against the enemy in the Field on 27 July 1919, between Lorali and Quetta.’

Josiah Edward Truss was born in Madras, India, on 25 April 1891, and attested for the Seaforth Highlanders on 20 May 1908. He served during the Great War in India, and with the Expeditionary Force in Egypt from 5 April 1918, before receiving a commission as Second Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force in October 1918. He saw active service as an Observer Officer in B.E. 2s of No. 114 Squadron in the Third Afghan War, and was awarded the Military Cross whilst employed as the Acting Stores Officer at Loralai. Whilst moving stores by road from Queta to Loralai, his R.A.F. tender was attacked by a gang of bandits. The Official Account of The Afghan War 1919 records:
‘Small parties of tribesmen had penetrated as far as the Harnai-Loralai road, and on the 27 July, a gang captured a tender belonging to the Royal Air Force near Raigora, 6 miles north west of Smallan. They got away with two Lewis guns, but one officer and 2 British other ranks escaped to Harnai, and 2 British other ranks escaped to Smallan.’

Advanced to Flying Officer in December 1919, Truss transferred to the Equipment Branch between the Wars, and was advanced to Flight Lieutenant in July 1929, and to Squadron Leader in December 1936, in which latter rank he was serving on attachment to Coastal Command on the renewal of hostilities in September 1939. He later served out in India and was placed on the Retired List as a Wing Commander in 1946. He died in Northwood, Middlesex, on 2 July 1978.

Sold together with an original portrait photograph; Observer’s brevet; and a printed message of thanks from Auchlineck, dated at New Delhi on 1 January 1946.