Orders, Decorations and Medals

The group of five miniature dress medals in tribute to Major L. G. Hawker, V.C., D.S.O., Royal Flying Corps, late Royal Engineers

Victoria Cross; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, complete with top bar; 1914 Star, with clasp; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted with a picture of the recipient in a glazed metal framed case, 23.5 x 16.5cm. (approx.), bearing the badges of the two corps, generally extremely fine (5) £300-400

V.C. London Gazette 24 August 1915. ‘Capt., R.E. & R.F.C.’ ‘For most conspicuous bravery and very great ability on the 25th July 1915. When flying alonehe attacked three German aeroplanes in succession. The first managed eventually to escape, the second was driven to ground damaged, and the third, which he attacked at a height of about 10,000 feet, was driven to earth in our lines, the pilot and observer being killed. The personal bravery shown by this officer was of the very highest order, as the enemy’s aircraft were armed with machine guns, and all carried a passenger as well as a pilot’.

D.S.O. London Gazette 8 May 1915. ‘Lieut., Royal Engineers and Royal Flying Corps’ ‘For conspicupus gallantry on 19 April 1915, when he succeeded in droping bpmbs on the German airship shed at Gontrode from a height of only 200 feet under circumstances of the greatest risk. Lieut. Hawker displayed remarkable ingenuity in utilizing an unoccupied German captive balloon to shield him from fire while manoeuvring to drop the bombs’.

M.I.D. London Gazette 8 May 1915, 22 June 1915, 24 August 1915.

Lanoe George Hawker was born in Longparish, Hampshire on 30 December 1890 and was educated at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in July 1911 and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in October 1914. He served in the Great War, first as a Flight Commander, then as Squadron Leader with the R.F.C., with the rank of Major. He was reported missing, later, killed in action on 23 November 1916. His name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.