Lot Archive

Lot

№ 1092

.

7 December 2005

Hammer Price:
£340

Three: Lieutenant W. H. S. Garnett, Royal Flying Corps

1914-15 Star (Lieut., R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.) nearly extremely fine (3) £250-300

William Herbert Stuart Garnett was the second son of Dr William Garnett, late educational advisor to the London County Council, and educated at St. Paul’s School and Trinity College Cambridge. For a time he worked as a practical engineer and brought out a text book on turbines. He was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple in 1905 and was in practice for some time. Becoming interested in the National Insurance Scheme, he gave up his practice on appointment as Assistant Legal Adviser to the National Insurance Commission. He was an enthusiastic Alpine climber and yachtsman. When the war broke out he obtained the loan of the yacht Zarefah, and manned with Cambridge graduates and undergraduates, the vessel was engaged in minesweeping work. Having gained the rank of Lieutenant-Commander, he gave up his naval duties in order to join the Royal Flying Corps. He was an Observer for several months in France before being recalled home to join the staff of the Central Flying School. He died in a flying accident on 21 September 1916, aged 34 years. He was buried in Upavon Church Cemetery. Sold with copied research.