Victory Medal 1914-19 (Major P. R. Grace, R.F.C.), good very fine £60-80

Percy Russell Grace, described as ‘of independent means’ under his pre-war occupation, was also an early aviator and aircraft owner, ‘with technical experience flying machines since 1909’. Appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps in November 1914, he does not appear to have undertaken pilot duties until passing a refresher course in August 1916, and thereafter seems to have served in 20th Reserve Wing in Egypt, until hospitalised in March 1917. Mentioned in Murray’s despatch dated 28 June 1917 (London Gazette 12 January 1918 refers), Grace, by now a Flight Commander in the temporary rank of Major, returned to the Home Establishment where, on account of ongoing ill-health, he relinquished his commission in November 1918; his British War Medal is known to exist (see Liverpool Medals List, August 1992, No. 804).