An extremely rare ‘Crowned Head’ D.F.M. group of seven awarded to Flight Lieutenant L. J. Strevens, No. 11 (B) Squadron, Royal Air Force, for the Chitral Reliefs 1932

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.V.R., 2nd issue with crowned head (370030 Cpl. L. J. Strevens, R.A.F.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (370030 L.A.C., R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (Flt. Lt., R.A.F.) together with two original Flying Log books covering the period March 1929 to July 1938, generally good very fine (7)

D.F.M. London Gazette 8 September 1933. ‘For operations in the Chitral reliefs, September to October 1932.’ Only three D.F.M’s and one Bar were awarded for these operations. A total of only 22 crowned head D.F.M’s were issued between 1931 and 1937.

Lloyd Jesse Strevens was posted as Wireless Operator and Air Gunner to No. 11 (B) Squadron at Miranshah on 25 March 1929. Flying Wapiti aircraft he took part in a great number of offensive bombing raids and reconnaissance patrols, particulary in Mohmand territory during the months of May to September 1930 when he flew on nearly 80 such missions, including many during the Chitral Relief in September. Every two years the 1,400-1,700 strong garrison at Chitral in the North West Frontier province underwent a changeover involving a 36 day march, which also tied up an escort and support force of even larger size. 1930 was the first year that the Royal Air Force provided significant assistance to the army in the Chitral Relief, when the column of 1,400 troops and 850 animals marching over difficult country from Dargai to Chitral was maintained for two days entirely by the Wapitis of Nos 11 and 39 Squadrons from Risalpur. About three tons of rations and forage were dropped each day at prearranged night halting points. The supplies were parachuted in specially made 56lb containers carried on the bomb racks, and each Wapiti averaged four sorties a day. 1931 was a relatively quiet year for Strevens, requiring him to fly on only 15 offensive patrols over Mohmand and Afridi territories, although he put in many hours of practise and training flying time. Things hotted up again in the first four months of 1932 when he took part in nearly 50 bombing raids, reconnaissance and ‘Red Shirt’ patrols. In August, the Squadron converted to Hawker Harts. During the biennial Chitral Relief of that year, in September and October, Strevens flew on 36 live bombing raids in a little under four weeks, often with his commanding officer, Squadron Leader Houghton, leading the bombing formation. His good work during this period brought him the well earned award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.

In May 1933, Strevens was posted to No. 23 (Fighter) Squadron at Northolt, flying Hawker Demons. In July 1935 he took part in the Royal Review flypast before being posted to Demon Flight, RAF Hal Far, No. 74 (F) Squadron. His subsequent appointments were to No. 103 (B) Squadron, Andover on Hinds, in October 1936; No. 1 (B) Group, March 1937; No. 101 (B) Squadron, Bicester, July 1937; and to No. 82 (B) Squadron in October 1937, once more flying Hawker Harts. The last entry in his logbook is dated 1 July 1938.