Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A very rare and impressive inter-war “Gallantry” A.F.M. group of five awarded to Wing Commander J. S. Brett, Royal Air Force, late Royal Navy, who as a Flight Sergeant climbed onto the wing of his airborne Vickers-Virginia aircraft to extinguish a fire

Air Force Medal, G.V.R., 1st type (240216 Sjt. J. S. Brett, R.A.F.); British War Medal 1914-20 (F. 40216 A.M. 1, R.N.); Defence and War Medals; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., coinage bust (240216 F./Sgt., R.A.F.) edge bruising and polished, thus good fine or better (5) £2000-2500

A.F.M. London Gazette 1 January 1925. The recommendation states:

‘For his courage and devotion to duty on the 2 July 1924, when a Vickers-Virginia aircraft caught fire in the air while engaged on night flying duties. Acting on his own initiative, Sergeant Brett who was seated beside the pilot and was acting as his observer, immediately climbed out on to the wing of the machine and sprayed the flames with a hand held extinguisher. As the aircraft was diving at a very high speed in rough weather, the risk of his being blown overboard was considerable. His action enabled the pilot to bring the machine and his crew of six persons safely to the ground.’

Only 48 Air Force Medals (and 3 Bars) were issued between the Great War and the G.V.R. 2nd type issue in 1930.

Brett was also awarded the Bronze Medal of The Society of The Protection of Life From Fire for the same incident. The following relevant extract is taken from an article that appeared in Flight Magazine on 23 October 1924:

‘Acting Flight Sergeant J. S. Brett, R.A.F. of Bircham Newton was among several recipients of awards for bravery in saving life from fire. Brett was presented with the Bronze Medal of the Society for his courageous action on July 2 past whilst carrying out flying practice with anti-aircraft batteries. One engine of the machine caught fire and continued to burn. Brett climbed out on the wing with a hand held extinguisher and sprayed the engine, keeping the flames under control while the pilot dived and bought the machine to land.’

Jackson Sydney Brett was born in Walmer, near Deal in October 1897 and originally enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in July 1913. Signing on for 12 years service on his 18th birthday, he actually ended the War as an Air Mechanic 1 in the Royal Air Force, lattery in the capacity of ‘A.M. 1 Rigger Airship’. Remaining a regular airman after the War, Brett was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in July 1931 (AMO N/460/31 refers), and, following his A.F.M.-winning exploits, he was appointed a Warrant Officer in September 1925 - he took up appointment with the Reception Depot, No. 24 (Training Group), Central Trade Test Board at West Drayton, Middlesex, two months later.

Brett was commissioned as an Engineer Officer in May 1937, and initially served in the Second World War as a Flight Lieutenant in the Technical Branch (Engineers), gaining advancement to Squadron Leader in June 1941 and to Temporary Wing Commander in June 1942. He finally retired in March 1948, retaining the substantive rank of Wing Commander, and last appears in the Retired Air Force List in 1964.

Note
Brett was also entitled to the 1914-15 Star and Victory Medal, in addition to his Bronze Medal of the Society of the Protection of Life from Fire, and possible 1939-45 Star entitlement.