The A.F.C. group of nine medals to George Reginald Ashton

The A.F.C. group of nine medals to George Reginald Ashton, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force: Air Force Cross, George VI, first type, reverse impressed '1939' in small figures to the lower limb*, in case of issue, extremely fine, toned; 1914-15 Star (228216, G. R. ASHTON. C.P.O. 3, R.N.A.S.); British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal with MID emblem (FLT. S. LT. G. R. ASHTON. R.N.A.S.); Coronation Medal 1937, unnamed as issued; the last four court mounted, near very fine; 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 with MID emblem, all unnamed as issued and swing mounted, very fine. [9]; together with this officer's flying log books (5), his dress miniature medals, his certificate of commission as a Flight Sub Lieutenant R.N., his MID certificate for 24th September 1941, a leather flying helmet with Gosport tubes and goggles, and various other items of associated ephemera.

George Ashton was born to Laura Ashton 14/04/1888 in Ryde in the parish of St Helens on the Isle of Wight, and he resided at the Coast Guard Station, East Cowes. He volunteered for service in the Royal Navy in 1903, serving as a Boy in various establishments before rating as Ordinary Seaman 14/04/1906 - his 18th birthday. He progressed to Leading Seaman by the autumn of 1911, and in April 1913 he gained an Aviator's Certificate from the Royal Aero Club of the U.K. (included in this lot). He was commissioned Probationary Flight Officer R.N.A.S. 28/10/1917. His A.F.C. was gazetted in the New Year Honour for 1939. He began the Second World War as Squadron Leader in command of the communication Squadron with the B.E.F. in France (designated 81 Squadron in December 1939), and the in command of 98 Squadron at Nantes before evacuating to the UK in June 1940 as a Wing Commander flying a Fairey Battle. 98 Squadron was attached to Coastal Command and relocated to Kaldadarnes in Iceland for coastal patrol and anti-submarine duties. While in Iceland Ashton, now a Group Commander, flew Tiger Moth T. 5878 as personal transport. He returned to the U.K. in 1941 and went on to command at R.A.F. Station Doncaster, and 5 Maintenance Unit at Kemble.

* See Abbot and Tamplin, 'British Gallantry Awards', p. 8, for this variation.