Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

British War Medal 1914-20, with M.I.D. oak leaves (204444. Sgt. H. W. Groombridge. R.A.F.) extremely fine £70-£90

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1919 (Mediterranean)

Henry William Groombridge was born in Hammersmith, London, on 4 August 1894, and joined the Royal Naval Air Service on 4 May 1915. He served during the Great War initially at home, and then for the remainder of the War at the Seaplane Base, Malta, from 11 August 1916. He transferred to the Royal Air Force on its formation on 1 April 1918, and was promoted Sergeant on 27 July 1918. In addition to being Mentioned in Despatches, for his services in conjunction with the Italian Forces at Misurata he was additionally awarded the Libyan Campaign Medal by the King of Italy (London Gazette 15 July 1919), one of only 5 British Officers and 7 Other Ranks to receive the Medal.

Note: This is the recipient’s full British entitlement- having served only at ‘home’ (which included Malta) he was only entitled to the British War Medal.

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