Auction Catalogue

10 & 11 May 2017

Starting at 11:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Live Online Auction

Download Images

Lot

№ 169

.

10 May 2017

Hammer Price:
£1,600

Three: Lieutenant P. Douglas, No. 11 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, late Liverpool Regiment, an Observer Ace, with eight ‘Victories’ to his credit, including five enemy scouts in a single engagement on 12 March 1917

1914 Star (3062 Pte. P. Douglas. 10/L’pool. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. P. Douglas. R.F.C.) minor edge bruising traces of lacquer, good very fine (3) £1000-1400

Provenance: Hal Giblin Collection of Medals to the Liverpool Regiment, Dix Noonan Webb, July 2004.

Percy Douglas was born in Kirkburton, Yorkshire, in 1897, the eldest son of Rev. Percy and Mrs. Annie Douglas of Great Sutton, Chester. He attested for the Liverpool Scottish on 5 August 1914 and accompanied the original contingent to France aboard the Maidan in November 1914, aged just 17. He served with the British Expeditionary Force until 21 May 1915 when he was wounded. Commissioned in the Army Service Corps on 5 July 1915, he was wounded a second time on 27 August 1916, requiring treatment in hospital at Rouen. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in August 1917, and served with No.11 Squadron: ‘On 12 March 1918, whilst acting as Observer to Captain J. S. Chick (later a 16 victory ace), Douglas claimed 5 enemy scouts out of control in a single engagement. The following day he claimed an Albatross DV also shot down out of control, and two days later, he claimed his final two ‘victories’, comprising, another Albatross DV out of control, and one other confirmed destroyed.’ (Above The War Fronts, by Norman Franks, Russell Guest, and Greory Alegi refers).

Douglas returned to England on 26 March 1918, and continued in service with the School of Air Gunnery, before finally leaving the R.A.F. on 11 April 1919.

A number of personal items which once belonged to Douglas, including his typescript recollections, entitled ‘We meet Richthofen’s Circus’, temporary commission document, photograph albums, loose photographs, essays (one of which is now published), and correspondence are held as part of the Liddle Collection, University of Leeds Library.

Sold together with the recipient’s identity bracelet, named ‘2nd. Lt. P. Douglas, C.E., A.S.C.’; two R.A.F. badges; and three photographic images.