A rare Great War D.F.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant H. C. Hunt, Royal Air Force, late Bedfordshire Regiment and Royal Flying Corps, a Gunner/Observer ace who claimed five enemy aircraft destroyed and three out of control

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.V.R. (P/6434 Sergt. Mech. Hunt, H. C., R.A.F.); British War and Victory Medals (317030 Sgt. C. E. Hunt, R.A.F.), good very fine (3) £6000-7000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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Approximately 105 George V, uncrowned head D.F.Ms issued 1918-30.

D.F.M. London Gazette 2 November 1918.

‘A keen and skilful Observer on whose courage and resource pilots place absolute reliance. He has personally shot down and destroyed five enemy machines, two of which he accounted for during one patrol.’

The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has taken part in numerous offensive patrols, escorts, etc., and on all occasions has shown keenness and real offensive spirit. By his skill and tenacity he has given confidence to his pilot and has set a fine example to other Observers in his squadron. He has personally accounted for enemy aircraft as follows:

On 28 May 1918, when on offensive patrol between Merville and La Bassee, nine small enemy two-seaters were attacked. He fired one and a half drums into one E.A., which nose dived, turned over and fell completely out of control.

On 8 August 1918, when escorting D.H. 4s over Vitry, several enemy scouts were encountered. He fired about 20 rounds into a Pfalz Scout at 80 yards range. The enemy machine burst into flames and went down.

On 16 August 1918, when on offensive patrol, two enemy two-seaters were attacked in the vicinity of Douai. He fired about a drum and a half into one which fell out of control and crashed near Fresnoy. This was confirmed by the pilot.

On 25 August 1918, when escorting a bombing raid to Peronne, about 40 enemy scouts attacked the formation. He fired a burst into a Pfalz Scout which spun down and was seen to crash west of Peronne. A Triplane then attacked the Bristol and he fired a good burst into it. The enemy machine went down in a dive and was seen to crash near Maricourt.’

Herbert Cecil Hunt was born in 1898 and originally enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment in February 1917, but transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in October of the same year.

Advanced to Sergeant in April 1918, on qualifying as an Observer, he joined No. 22 Squadron, a Bristol Fighter unit, out in France, and first went into action in May, the relevant combat reports stating:

16 May, with 2nd Lieutenant B. C. Budd as pilot:

‘On returning from O.P. the leader (Lieutenant Bulmer) dived on several enemy balloons. I fired about 300 rounds into two balloons, one of which folded up and fell to earth. As ordinary S.A.A. was used no balloon caught fire. All balloons in our vicinity were hauled down. I observed one Observer go down in a parachute. I fired about 200 rounds at enemy transport on roads east of Merville. One lorry hit a tree. My observer fired several drums at balloons and transport.’

28 May, with 2nd Lieutenant C. W. M. Thompson as pilot:

‘Whilst on O.P. I saw nine E.A. machines. We dived on same and engaged them in combat. My pilot dived and banked to the right and I fired one and a half magazines into one E.A. I then saw this E.A. go down in a nose-dive and then turn completely over completely out of control. I watched the E.A. for some time then our fuselage cowling covered it but when I last saw it, it was completely out of control. This E.A. had no crosses on its tail but had black streaks. Remarks on hostile machine: new type small two-seater with two guns in front and one if Observer’s cockpit.’

Having enjoyed some leave in the last two weeks of July, Hunt was quickly back in action, the following combat reports surviving for the month of August:

8 August 1918, with Lieutenant T. H. Newsome as pilot:

‘While on escort duty over Vitry between Arras and Douai a Pfalz scout flew parallel with our machine about 80 yards away. I fired about 20 rounds at the E.A. and it went down in flames. I observed the E.A. fired at by my pilot go down completely out of control.’

16 August 1918, with Lieutenant C. E. Hurst as pilot:

‘During O.P. over Douai two machines (two-seaters with yellow elevators) followed us from Douai towards the line under our tail. I fired about a drum and a half at one and it went down and I saw it crash near Fresnoy.’

25 August 1918, with Lieutenant C. E. Hurst as pilot:

‘While on escort with D.H. 4s to Peronne at a height of 16,000 feet, the formation was attacked by about 30 or 40 scouts, including a Pfalz Fokker and Triplanes. I fired approximately a drum into a Pfalz Scout which went down in a spin and I saw E.A. crash west of Peronne. A Triplane then dived on us and I fired a burst at about 200 yards range. The E.A. went down in a dive and crashed near Haricourt. I also fired at another Pfalz Scout which went down in an irregular spin but I was unable to see E.A. crash as other E.A. were on my tail at the time.’




Hunt, who was recommended for the D.F.M. five days later, is also credited with another enemy aircraft out of control after a combat fought on 31 August:

‘While on escort duty to a D.H. 4 photographic machine over Douai at 9,000 feet, we met a squadron of four Fokker Biplanes. This formation was joined by another formation of Pfalz Scouts. I fired at machines of both formations and one Pfalz was seen in a spin completely out of control. The fight commenced about 5.10 p.m. and lasted for several minutes. The E.A. did not attempt to get above us.’

Admitted to No. 14 Casualty Clearing Station on 4 September, suffering from neurasthenia - a nervous breakdown - he was transferred to Summerdown Convalescent Hospital in Eastbourne and thence to a similar establishment in Grosvenor Square, London. And he was discharged with a disability pension in January 1919.

Sold with the recipient’s original Great War map board, complete with three folded maps, and a quantity of research.