A Great War D.S.M. pair awarded to Leading Mechanician J. W. Walker, Royal Naval Air Service

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (F.12468 J. W. Walker, Lg. Mech. R.N.A.S. 1917); France, Medaille Militaire, enamelled, extremely fine (2) £800-1000

D.S.M. London Gazette 1 May 1918. ‘The following awards have been approved to men of the Royal Naval Air Service for zeal and devotion to duty during the period from 1st July to 31st December 1917.’

Recommendation reads: ‘This rating has been on a large number of patrols at great distances. He took part in an attack on a Zeppelin in the neighbourhood of Terschelling. He formed one of the crew of the “H.12” which picked up the crew of the “D.H.4” on September 5th 1917. I recommend this rating for the Distinguished Service Medal.’

John William Walker was born in York on 26 January 1896. A Fitter and Turner by occupation, he entered the R.N.A.S. as an Air Mechanic 2nd Class in H.M.S. President on 8 March 1916. He was subsequently stationed at Aberdeen, Crystal Palace, Yarmouth, and Eastchurch, attaining the rank of Leading Mechanician in November 1917. When based at Yarmouth he was awarded the D.S.M. for his services, firstly in an attack on Zeppelins near Terschelling and secondly as one of the crew of the “H.12” which rescued the crew of a “D.H.4.” The two aircraft were on patrol together when the “D.H.4” had to descend to the sea due to engine failure. Squadron Leader Vincent Nicholl, D.S.C. and Flight Commander Leckie, D.S.C. of the “H.12” landed and picked up the crew of the downed seaplane but were unable to ascend because of the rough sea and the added weight. The “H.12” was adrift for three and a half days in strong winds and heavy seas, the men being forced to continually ‘bail out’, before the two crews were picked up by H.M.S. Halcyon. For their services, Nicholl was awarded the D.S.O. and his crewman, Walker, the D.S.M. Walker’s papers further record the award of the French Medaille Militaire. He later served as a Flight Sergeant in the R.A.F. With copied service papers and recommendation. Also with extracts from Diary of a North Sea Air Station by P. Snowden Gamble - in which Walker is mentioned several times with regard to the above and other actions.

Original award certificate for Medaille Militaire could be available to successful purchaser of these medals