Orders, Decorations and Medals

A magnificent inter-wars D.F.C., A.F.C. group of fourteen awarded to Wing Commander H. G. W. Lock, Royal Air Force
Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R.; Air Force Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (3053 2-A.M., R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals (3053 Sjt., R.F.C.); General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Iraq, Southern Desert, Iraq (F/O, R.A.F.); Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39 (Wg. Cdr., R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals; Italy, Al Valore Militare, bronze, unnamed as issued, the obverse with mint mark of crowned ‘z’ and ‘F.G.’, with the exception of the last, the group mounted on an original wearing bar as worn, sold with his original Flying Log Book for the period November 1929 to August 1942, and two photographs of the recipient, generally good very fine (14)

D.F.C. London Gazette 28 October, 1921 (Iraq): ‘For untiring energy, gallantry and devotion to duty. He has operated in all areas during the insurrection. He has flown 130 hours, and has had four machines put out of action by hostile fire during operations. He was shot down and captured by the insurgents and since his release never failed to carry on as usual.’
A.F.C. London Gazette 3 June, 1930 (Southern Desert, Iraq): ‘For courage and exceptional devotion to duty whilst flying. This officer has completed over one thousand hours of flying in Iraq since May 1928, in the course of which he has accumulated a vast store of practical experience which has been of great benefit to his Squadron and to the Service.
His services have been outstanding, and such as to inspire confidence both in his seniors and subordinates. In various minor operations, he has proved a magnificent leader both of the Squadron, which he commanded during two periods of five months each, and of his own flight which he has made an example to other flights.’
Al Valore Militare awarded on 22 May, 1917.

Henry George Watts Lock served in the Royal Flying Corps as an Air Mechanic, 1915-16, and was wounded in action in April 1916. He received a temporary commission in the R.F.C. on 24 September, 1917, as Equipment Officer, 3rd class. After the Great War Lock received a permanent commission in the Royal Air Force and was posted to No. 30 Squadron in Iraq where he saw considerable service, the circumstances of the award of the D.F.C. being evidence of long hours of operational flying under extremely hazardous conditions. He continued to serve in Iraq throughout the twenties, and was awarded the A.F.C. for his services against the Akhwan in the Southern Desert, Iraq, between November 1927 and May 1928.
Between May 1928 and 1930, Lock served with “A” Flight, No. 84 (Bomber) Squadron with whom he undertook reconnaissance in association with various British ground forces and, later, bombing operations against the Dawish in the Jahra area. On 8 January, 1930, while reconnoitring Jahra Minaqish, Lock landed his aircraft and held up an Arab car which had been smuggling messages to the Dawish and, on this occasion, confiscated a letter which was being taken to the Sheikh of Kuwait. By 19 February, 1930, Lock had flown 1,000 hours with his unit since 1 May, 1928, and his tour of Iraq ended on 22 March, 1930.
On returning to the U.K. he was posted to No. 12 (Bomber) Squadron at Andover, with which unit he remained until January 1931. After a brief posting to R.A.F. Staff College, Lock was posted, in 1932, to the Air Ministry at Northolt and flew with “C” Flight, No. 24 Squadron. He was Station Commander at Biggin Hill, 7 January, 1937, to 14 december, 1938, and was subsequently posted to India in January 1939, with No. 1 Group (India), based at Lahore, with which outfit he participated in the Burma campaign in 1941. Lock was finally posted to the Air Ministry as Deputy Director of Fighter Operations in August 1942.