The Roy Bartlett Collection of Awards to the R.N.A.S., R.F.C. and R.A.F.

A rare Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Private 1 C. Knevett, No. 21 Balloon Section, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps

Military Medal, G.V.R. (105647 Pte. 1 C. Knevitt, R.A.F.), note slight difference in surname spelling; British War and Victory Medals (105647 Pte. 1 C. Knevett, R.A.F.), generally good very fine (3) £1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Roy Bartlett Collection of Awards to the R.N.A.S., R.F.C. and R.A.F..

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M.M. London Gazette 8 February 1919. The original recommendation states:

‘For gallantry at Rumegies on 24 October 1918. At about 16.00 hours a battery was proceeding along the road and came under heavy fire. Private Knevitt (sic) voluntarily assisted to clear the wounded men and the unwounded horses under considerable shell fire. He rendered the utmost assistance and set a fine example of gallantry to all ranks. The rear teams were hit and five men and 19 horses became casualties. But for this airman’s courage further casualties in men and horses would probably have occurred.’

Charles Knevett, a native of Ongar, Essex and by profession a motor driver, originally enlisted in the Army in October 1916, but transferred to the Royal Flying Corps out in France in August 1917, where he served until March 1919, latterly in No. 21 Balloon Section. The recommendation for his M.M. was forwarded by the Brigadier-General Commanding 10th Brigade, R.A.F., together with a supporting statement from the O.C. of A/63 Battery, R.F.A. He was transferred to the R.A.F. Reserve in April 1919.