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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 220

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant
A 1919 A.F.C. group of four awarded to Captain A. Groundes-Peace, Royal Air Force, late 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles and Royal Flying Corps

Having served on the Western Front, Grounds-Peace took his Aero Certificate before taking to the skies with the Royal Flying Corps, firstly in France and then in the Middle East - he would be tragically killed in a collision over Hinaidi on 13 January 1922

Air Force Cross, G.V.R., on original horizontal riband, with its Pinches, London case of issue; 1914-15 Star (109540 Pte. A. G. Peace. 4/Can: Mtd: Rif:); British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt. A. G. Peace. R.A.F.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Lieut. A. G. Peace. R.F.C.), traces of lacquer, very fine (4)

A.F.C. London Gazette 3 June 1919.

Albert Groundes-Peace - known as 'PAX' to his friends and comrades - was born at Leicester on 16 July 1894. He chose to emigrate to Canada in order to further his prospects and made the leap in 1911, sailing via the Hesperian. Finding work as an auditor, with the outbreak of the Great War, he joined the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles at Toronto. He duly returned to Europe in July 1915 and embarked for France in October 1915, being attached to 3rd Canadian Divisional HQ as a signaller. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in June 1916, he was granted leave to England. Whilst there, he found his way into the Royal Flying Corps and eventually took Aero Certificate No. 4262 on a Caudron biplane at the Beatty School, Hendon on 21 February.

Appointed Flying Officer in April 1917, he joined No. 9 Squadron in June 1917 and was once again into the fray. Having seen action over the Western Front, he was posted as an Instructor and made Wing Examiner in May 1918. Peace had been married (with issue of a son, John), was promoted Flight Commander and Temporary Captain in January 1919, to go with the Air Force Cross which would follow.

He would embark for the Middle East and joined No. 8 Squadron (Mesopotamia Wing) and eventually No. 55 Squadron in February 1921. Tragedy would strike on 13 January 1922, when Peace was killed in a flying accident at Hinaidi. Practice formation flying was the order, with some eight machines in play. He collided with the machine in front of him, after a signal to disperse had been given, when the wing tip struck his tail plane. They came down out of control from 2,000ft, with Peace and Aircraftman 2nd Class Brown (No. 157806) dead upon crashing in DH9a E.8474. They are both buried in Baghdad (North Gate) Cemetery, Iraq.

Sold together with a most complete photograph album, densely annotated, besides letters of condolence, his 4th C.M.R.R. Overseas Badge (likely featured in his Aero Certificate photograph) and copied research.

For the miniature dress medals of his son, please see Lot 321.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£1,000 to £1,400

Starting price
£900