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Lot

№ 1476

.

29 March 2012

Hammer Price:
£260

Nine: Squadron Leader G. B. Danton, Royal Air Force, late Rifle Brigade

1914-15 Star (B. 128 Pte. G. B. Danton, Rif. Bde.); British War and Victory Medals (B. 128 Sjt. G. B. Danton, Rif, Brig.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1937; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (354847 F./Sgt. G. B. Danton, R.A.F.), mounted as worn, the Great War awards polished, thus nearly very fine, the remainder rather better (9) £250-300

George Benjamin Danton, who was born in Deptford, London in November 1896, first went out to France as a Private in the 8th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, in mid-May 1915, but later served as a Sergeant in the 33rd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment, which latter unit was first employed on the Western Front in July 1918.

Sometime thereafter transferring to the Royal Air Force, he was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in January 1938 and was commissioned as a Flying Officer, direct from the rank of Warrant Officer, in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch, in May 1940. Actively employed in the Middle East, he was mentioned in despatches (
London Gazette 1 January 1942 refers), and was advanced to Flight Lieutenant in September 1945. Danton was finally placed on the Retired List at his own request in July 1949, when he was given the rank of Squadron Leader; sold with his original M.I.D. certificate and a portrait photograph in uniform, circa 1942.