Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare ‘Iraq’ M.S.M. and superb inter-war campaign combination group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer C. Oakley, Royal Air Force

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (3929 F/Sjt. C. Oakley. R.A.F.); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Mohmand 1933, North West Frontier 1935 (3929. W/O. 2. C. Oakley. R.A.F.) clasps connected by wire; India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (W/O. C. Oakley. R.A.F.); Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Royal Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (3929 F/Sjt. C. Oakley. R.A.F.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (3929. W.O. 2. C. Oakley. R.A.F.) mounted on card for display, light contact marks overall, therefore generally very fine (7) £1,000-£1,400

1 of 12 M.S.M.’s awarded to the R.A.F. over a two year period for Iraq.

M.S.M. London Gazette 28 October 1921.
The original recommendation states: ‘For continuous good work and devotion to duty. This N.C.O. has been largely instrumental in the successful maintenance of machines in ‘C’ Flight during operations. By his example he has at all times proved himself capable of maintaining a high standard of efficiency in his Flight, and is deserving of high praise.’

Charles Oakley enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps in March 1915, but never served overseas and has no entitlement for Great War campaign awards. He transferred to the Royal Air Force in 1918, and was posted for operational service with the Iraq Command in 1920. Oakley was then posted for service with 20 (Army Co-operation) Squadron at Peshawar from 15 March 1932, and continued to serve on the North West Frontier until his return to the UK in 1937.

Oakley advanced to Warrant Officer in 1934 (awarded L.S. & G.C. in July 1933), and was serving as Station Warrant Officer at R.A.F. Waddington in 1937. He carried on serving during the Second World War, but appears not to have claimed his campaign medals for that conflict.