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Auction: 1008 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 10

A Great War Military Division O.B.E. Group of Four to Major T.R.H. Garrett, Armament Officer to Spenser Grey´s B Squadron No. 5 Wing, Royal Naval Air Service, Late Chief Petty Officer, R.N.A.S Armoured Car Division a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st type, Military Division, Officer´s (O.B.E.) breast Badge, silver-gilt (Hallmarks for London 1919) b) 1914-15 Star (F.930, T.R.H. Garrett, C.P.O., 3, R.N.A.S.) c) British War and Victory Medals (Major T.R.H. Garrett, R.A.F.), good very fine, mounted as originally worn, together with a copy of Bomber Pilot, 1916-1918, Squadron-Leader C.P.O. Bartlett, D.S.C. (4) Estimate £ 800-1,000 O.B.E. London Gazette 1.1.1919 Major Thomas Richard Henty Garrett, R.A.F. ´In recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the War.´ Major Thomas Richard Henty Garrett, O.B.E. (1881-1937), born Southampton; educated at Louth Grammar School and Jesus College, Cambridge; employment included as Chief Geologist with a Dutch Oil Company and also with Shell Oil prior to enlisting in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, 14.11.1914; served during the Great War as a Chief Petty Officer, R.N.A.S. Armoured Car Division in the French Theatre of War, from 10.4.1915; commissioned Temporary Lieutenant R.N.V.R. for Armament Duties, No. 1 Wing, Dover, 29.11.1915; posted Flight Sub Lieutenant (Technical) as Armament Officer to B Squadron, No. 5 Wing R.N.A.S., Coudekerque, Dunkirk, 30.9.1916; the squadron, then flying Sopwith Strutters, was commanded by Squadron Commander Spenser Grey; it was renamed 5 Squadron R.N.A.S., 31.12.1916, and Garrett´s time with the squadron is mentioned on several occasions in Bomber Pilot 1916-1918, by Squadron Leader C.P.O. Bartlett, D.S.C. (a founder member of the squadron), including: 3.2.1917, ´Eight of our aircraft left at 4.45am but many of them came to grief.....Blagrove and Gardner landed on the beach and could not get assistance to haul their aircraft to safety from the incoming tide. Wood circled overhead for some time waiting for dawn with a failing engine and eventually crashed badly on the bank of the stream at the north end of the aerodrome snapping off two stout willow trees, crumpling his wings...... At 8.30am I proceeded to the beach with 6 hands to help Seaplanes salvage team secure Gardner´s machine...... Garrett arrived about 11am to unbomb her and as the tide dropped we shovelled a passage through the frozen foam and surf on the beach, which was some 3 feet thick. At length we were able to dig the wheels partially clear and, with several lifting the tail and all hands on the rope, were able to haul her. Garrett and I proceeded home with the bombs and guns´. 7.5.1917, ´Ormerod on return crashed on the beach just our side of Nieuport piers, the wreckage of his plane being salvaged later in the day under shell fire by Gardener, Cooke and Garrett.´ 1.7.1917, ´It seems those with safe and cushy jobs get the pickings. I wouldn´t change with them anyway. Jope, Garrett and I spent the afternoon and evening up to dinner disarming 18lb shells in the armoury - an interesting job, but a wonder we didn´t blow ourselves up!´ Garrett was introduced to the King of the Belgians, when the latter visited the Squadron and, ´since joining R.N.V.R. Been on 8 Bombing raids and had a few flights´ (service papers refer); promoted Lieutenant-Commander 31.12.1918; discharged Temporary Major, Royal Air Force, 24.3.1919.

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£880