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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 454

A tragic campaign pair awarded to 2nd Lieutenant J. H. Davies, Royal Air Force who was shot down and killed on 19 August 1918

British War and Victory Medals (2.Lieut. J. H. Davies. R.A.F.), good very fine (2)

John Hayden (sometimes spelled Haydn) Davies was born at Ystradyfodwg, Pontypridd, Glamorganshire on 25 August 1899 and was an Engineer's Apprentice when the Great War began in 1914. He appears to have enlisted prior to 1918 but no record survives until his entry into the R.A.F. in April 1918. When he was posted as a Flight Cadet to the Officer Technical Training Wing on 28 April, his service records note a poor aptitude for flying however and he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant (Observer) on 12 July 1918.

Joining 98 Squadron on 26 July 1918 he proceeded to fly with them for the rest of the war, of the Squadron their history states:

'It moved to France with D.H.9s in April 1918, and began bombing missions on 9 April against troop concentrations, railways and enemy airfields in the area of the German offensive which was in full spate when the Squadron arrived. In July, No98 moved south to meet another German attack, this time on the French in Champagne, returning north in August to take part in the British counter-offensive which eventually reached Belgium before the Armistice.'

It was on one of these missions, piloted by a Flying Officer Roberts that Davies was shot down and killed on 19 August 1918. They were flying over Roiselle on 19 August 1918 when they were intercepted by a Fokker DVII WoL, coming off worst in the combat that followed they were shot down in flames and both killed. Davies died immediately but was confirmed as killed in action on 17 September 1918, he is buried at Pargny British Cemetery.

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Sold for
£210

Starting price
£210