Auction Catalogue

29 June 2022

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 205

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29 June 2022

Hammer Price:
£1,400

An extremely rare Great War 1917 Army M.S.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant G. H. Hall, Royal Flying Corps, awarded for his courage on patrols as an Air Gunner with 6 Squadron over the Western Front. Also working as a Fitter, he was subsequently commissioned Second Lieutenant and carried out pilot training. Second Lieutenant Hall died of fatal injuries, 24 December 1917, received four days earlier during a training flight

1914 Star, with clasp (1576 2/A.M. G. H. Hall. R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals (1576 Sjt. G. H. Hall. R.F.C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (1576 Sjt: G. H. Hall. R.F.C.) mounted on card for display, polished, nearly very fine (4) £800-£1,200

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

M.S.M. London Gazette 5 June 1917.
The original recommendation states: ‘For consistent good work both as aerial gunner (on photography and patrol work) and as a fitter. By his courage as an aerial gunner and his skill as a fitter he sets an example to all.’


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. Only rarely was it awarded for gallantry or courage in the air. Indeed, it was not intended for gallantry in action against the enemy. The award of a D.C.M. or M.M. was considered more appropriate. And again, very few are seen with the appropriate Great War campaign medals.

George Henry Hall was born in Raunds, Northamptonshire January 1896, and resided at 4 Commercial Road, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire. He attested for the Royal Flying Corps at South Farnborough, 15 August 1914, and served during the Great War with 6 Squadron (R.E.5’s and B.E.2c’s) in the French theatre of war from 7 October 1914. Hall advanced to Corporal in February 1916, and to Sergeant in February the following year. The Squadron were mainly engaged in Artillery Spotting and tactical reconnaissance work.

Hall returned to the UK in July 1917, to carry out officer training as a Cadet. He was commissioned Temporary 2nd Lieutenant (on probation) in November 1917. Hall was posted for further training as a pilot to No. 31 Training Squadron the same month, and received fatal injuries whilst flying DH6 A9639, 20 December 1917. His cause of death, on Christmas Eve 1917, given as ‘Shock from injuries accidentally received by rapid descent of an aeroplane.’

Second Lieutenant Hall died in the 1st Eastern General Hospital Cambridge, and is buried in Raunds Wesleyan Methodist Chapelyard.