Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Great War 1916 ‘Immediate’ Army M.S.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant Major, later Wing Commander, J. R. Gardiner, 24 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force

1914-15 Star (178 F. Sjt. J. R. Gardiner. R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. J. R. Gardiner. R.A.F.) surname partially officially corrected on BWM; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (178 Fl: Sjt: J. R. Gardiner. No. 24 Sqn: R.F.C.), mounted for display by Spink & Son, generally good very fine or better (6) £700-900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the Royal Air Force between the Wars (1919-1939) formed by Group Captain JE Barker.

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Provenance: Sotheby’s, December 1990.

M.S.M. London Gazette 11 November 1916.

Approximately 140 Army Meritorious Service Medals were awarded to Royal Flying Corps personnel.

The Meritorious Service Medal - The Immediate Awards 1916-1928 by I. McInnes records that 23 extant Army Meritorious Service Medals to the Royal Flying Corps were known to the author at the time of publication.

John Roland Gardiner was born at 83 Cressy Road, Landport, Kingston, Hampshire, in November 1886. He attested for the Royal Engineers at Portsmouth, in February 1904. Gardiner served overseas in South Africa, and advanced to Lance Corporal in December 1908. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as a 1st Class Air Mechanic, 28 January 1912. Gardiner was posted to the Central Flying School at Upavon, and was awarded his Royal Aeronautical Club Aviator’s Certificate (No. 907), 11 December 1913. Following the outbreak of the Great War, he continued to serve at Upavon, and advanced to Flight Sergeant in November 1914.

Gardiner served with the Royal Flying Corps in the French theatre of war from June 1915. He was appointed Temporary Sergeant Major in November 1915, and returned to the UK to join the newly formed 24 Squadron at Hounslow. Gardiner moved with the Squadron to France in February 1916, and equipped with DH2’s they were the first British single-seater fighter unit to serve on the Western Front. The Squadron, operating from a variety of bases, played a prominent role in the Battle of the Somme, and in restoring the balance of air power throughout the rest of the year.

Ian McInnes in his book A Contemptible Little Flying Corps records that Gardiner was recommended for the Military Medal in July 1916, but that it was not approved. He was, however, awarded the Immediate M.S.M. later the same year. 24 Squadron were re-equipped with DH5’s from May 1917, and thereafter specialised in low-level attack operations. The Squadron came to fore during the offensives at Messines in June and Cambrai in November 1917.

Gardiner was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps, 1 January 1918. He had served with 24 Squadron as a Technical Sergeant Major, and transferred to the Royal Air Force as a Second Lieutenant, Technical Officer. Gardiner advanced to Flying Officer in July 1919, and subsequent postings included as Stores Officer at No. 2 Flying Training School, Duxford and in the same capacity at 32 Squadron, Kenley. He then served overseas with No. 4 Armoured Car Company, Armoured Car Wing, Hinaidi, Iraq. Gardiner was promoted Flight Lieutenant in January 1927, and his final posting was the following year to the Air Ministry, as part of the Department of the Member for Supply and Research, Directorate of Equipment. He retired in February 1931, before re-engaging as a Squadron Leader in 1939 for service during the Second War. Gardiner advanced to Temporary Wing Commander in June 1942, before finally retiring in September 1944. He died at 1 Larkhill, Hangleton, Hove, East Sussex, 22 January 1961.

Sold with a file of copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient in uniform.