Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 1008 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 65

A Fine Great War M.C. and Bar to Nieuport Scout and S.E.5a Pilot Captain J.A. Slater, Royal Flying Corps, Who Scored 24 Victories on the Western Front Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, the reverse contemporarily named in large serif capitals ´Capt. James A. Slater R.F.C.´, lacquered, extremely fine Estimate £ 500-600 M.C. London Gazette 4.2.1918 T./2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) James Anderson Slater, Gen. List and R.F.C. ´For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When returning from a patrol he attacked enemy infantry, silenced a field gun and fired on transport. On another occasion he silenced a battery in very difficult weather conditions, fired on ammunition wagons and enemy infantry, and brought back his patrol safely. He also led a patrol of twelve machines in very bad weather to attack a wood held by the enemy. His patrol dropped over thirty bombs, fired 3,000 rounds and drove the enemy from the wood with heavy casualties. In the course of this flight six enemy scouts were engaged and driven off. Later, he led a similar patrol with great success. He showed splendid courage and determination.´ M.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 22.6.1918 T./Capt. James Anderson Slater, M.C., Gen. List, and R.F.C. ´For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion during the recent, operations he attacked a large formation of hostile scouts, one of which he drove down in flames. Later, during the same flight, he took part in a general engagement, in which he drove down another enemy machine completely out of control. Two days later he attacked two enemy scouts, causing one of them to crash to earth. In eighteen days he has engaged in twenty-five combats at close quarters, shooting down eight hostile machines. His great gallantry and fine offensive spirit have inspired all ranks to a very high degree.´ D.F.C. London Gazette 3.8.1918 Lt. (T./Capt.) James Anderson Slater, M.C. ´This officer has led numerous offensive patrols with the utmost skill and determination, and it is entirely due to his fine leadership that many enemy aircraft have been destroyed with the minimum of casualties to his formation.´ Captain James Anderson Slater, M.C., D.F.C., born Worthing, Sussex, November 1896; on the outbreak of the Great War enlisted as 3060 Private, Royal Sussex Regiment, 10.9.1914; Commissioned Second Lieutenant, 29.9.1914, served with both the Royal Irish Rifles and the Royal Sussex Regiment; transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, and served with 18 Squadron (Vickers FB5s) on the Western Front as an Observer from 10.11.1915. After pilot training advanced Flying Officer, 30.6.1916, Slater was posted to 1 Squadron (Nieuport Scout), and scored his first two victories (the second shared), 15.2 and 17.3.1917; posted to 64 Squadron (S.E.5a), and scored 22 more victories (3 shared), 30.11.1917-31.5.1918; posted to the Home Establishment, July 1918, and served as an instructor until the end of the War. Captain Slater remained in the Royal Air Force after the War, and was tragically killed in a crash at Upavon, 26.11.1925.

Sold for
£1,250