An extremely rare inter-war A.F.M. group of four awarded to Squadron Leader B. Crane, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps, who flew operationally in the Waziristan 1925 operations

Air Force Medal, G.V.R. (6428 F./Sgt. (Pilot) B. Crane, R.A.F.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1925 (6428 Sgt. B. Crane, R.A.F.); Jubilee 1935; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (6428 F./Sgt. B. Crane, R.A.F.), very fine or better (4) £3400-3800

A little over 100 A.F.Ms were issued during the reign of George V.

A.F.M. London Gazette 3 June 1929. The original recommendation states:

This man is an exceptional pilot and possesses in addition to his flying ability, the power of imparting his knowledge and confidence to his pupils. His total of flying hours exceeds that of any other instructor at the Central Flying School, where he is stationed, and his steadiness, enthusiasm and general example have helped in no small measure to maintain the standards at the School.’

Bernard Crane was born at Pin Mill, Chelmondiston, near Ipswich, Suffolk in December 1897. A draughtsman and clerk by profession, he was employed by the Officer Commanding the Admiralty Works Department at Shotley in Suffolk from December 1912 to June 1915.

Enlisting in the Royal Flying Corps as an Air Mechanic 2nd Class in the latter month, he remained employed on the home establishment for the duration of the war, gaining advancement to A.M. 1 in September 1916 and being re-graded as a Private 1 on the formation of the Royal Air Force. In April 1918 he joined No. 5 School of Warfare, being promoted to Sergeant and recorded as a qualified despatch rider with a good knowledge of engines. Then in June 1918 he was posted to the Central Flying School for pilot training, from whence he graduated that August (Pilot’s certificate No. 6653).

In March 1925, Crane joined the strength of No. 60 (B.) Squadron in India, and he remained similarly employed until October 1926, a period in which he witnessed active service as a pilot in “Pink’s War”, namely the Waziristan operations of 1925 (Medal & clasp), and gained advancement to Flight Sergeant.

On his return to the home establishment he joined No. 11 Squadron for duties as a flying instructor at the Central Flying School and, as cited above, was awarded the A.F.M. in June 1929.

Returning to regular duties with No. 10 Squadron in January 1931, he was awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal in AMO N478 of 1933 and joined No.1 (F.) Squadron in March 1934. Posted to Iraq in the following year, he served in No. 70 (B.T.) Squadron and No. 55 (B.) Squadron, but was admitted to hospital at Hinaidi in the summer of 1936 and invalided home. He added the Jubilee Medal to his accolades in the interim (official records refer).

In early 1937, Crane resumed duties as a flying instructor, initially at Digby but afterwards at Brize Norton and Halton, gaining promotion to Warrant Officer in April 1938. Then in August 1939 he was granted a commission as a Flying Officer (Engineer), thereafter serving in the Technical Branch at assorted Maintenance Units and Technical Training Schools. He was advanced to Squadron Leader in October 1946 and placed on the Retired List in July 1950.

Crane, who apparently makes a brief appearance in W. E. Johns’s Biggles Hunts Big Game, died at a home for retired R.A.F. officers in Bishopteignton, Teignmouth in December 1980; sold with copied research including service records.