Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Great War immediate ‘Dunkirk’ M.S.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant Mechanic G. J. Bysouth, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force, in recognition of service at the seaplane base at Dunkirk

British War and Victory Medals (203387. Sgt. G. J. Bysouth. R.A.F.); Royal Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (203387 Sjt. Mec: G. J. Bysouth. R.A.F.) extremely fine (3) £400-500

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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M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919 (Dunkirk).

1 of 33 M.S.M.’s awarded for the Dunkirk theatre of operations.

George John Bysouth was born at 179 Barrelly Road, Walworth, Newington, London, in July 1898. He enlisted for the Royal Naval Air Service as Air Mechanic 1st Class in February 1915. He initially served in the French theatre of War for the first week of April 1915, before returning for service at Dover. Bysouth was posted back to France, and served at the seaplane base at Dunkirk, December 1916 - January 1918. He advanced to Petty Officer Mechanic in November 1917, and transferred to the Royal Air Force in April 1918.

Bysouth served with 17 Squadron from the end of 1918 until February 1919, when he was admitted to the 1st City of London General Hospital. He transferred to the Reserve of the Royal Air Force, 19 April 1919. Bysouth died at Lewisham Hospital in December 1946.