A rare Kurdistan operations D.F.M. awarded to Corporal J. T. Bunting, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps, who flew operationally in R.E. 8s of No. 63 Squadron - ‘machine-gunning hostile tribesmen from low altitude under heavy rifle fire’

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.V.R. (26645 Cpl. J. T. Bunting, R.A.F.), good very fine £1600-1800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of British Orders, Decorations and Medals formed by the late Fred Rockwood.

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D.F.M. London Gazette 12 July 1920. The original recommendation states:

‘For gallantry and devotion to duty. Owing to the lack of qualified Observers and Gunners, this N.C.O. has always been to the fore in volunteering for these duties. He has continually acted in this capacity in minor operations over the difficult and mountainous country of Persia, machine-gunning hostile tribesmen from low altitude under heavy rifle fire. By his keenness and disregard of danger, he has set an excellent example to all ranks.’

James Turner Bunting, a native of Macclesfield, Cheshire, entered the Royal Flying Corps as a Fitter in April 1916 and first witnessed active service in Mesopotamia, where he was struck down by sandfly fever and pneumonia and evacuated to hospital in early 1917.

Advanced to Air Mechanic 1st Class in November 1917, his subsequent award of the D.F.M. was in respect of the above cited deeds in No. 63 Squadron in the Kurdistan operations of May-December 1919, one of just four such distinctions granted for services in the campaign; sold with copied service record.

The BWM to this recipient (officially named Banting) can be available to the purchaser for £150