A Royal Naval Air Service D.S.M. group of four awarded to Flying Officer A. H. P. Berry, Royal Air Force, late Chief Petty Officer, R.N.A.S.

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (271962 A. H. P. Berry, Ch. P.O. 1Cl. R.N.A.S. Dunkerque. 1915-6); 1914 Star, with clasp (271962 A. H. Berry, C.P.O. Mech. III, R.N.A.S.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (2. Lieut. A. H. Berry, R.A.F.) contact marks, otherwise very fine (4) £1200-1400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval and Indian Marine Medals from the Collection of John Tamplin.

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D.S.M. London Gazette 22 June 1916. The recommendation states ‘For continuous good work in charge of engines and machines during the last 14 months at Dunkirk.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1919: 2nd Lieut., D.S.M. (Flanders).

Arthur Henry P. Berry was born on 15 June 1888, and was educated at Plymouth Technical School. He joined the Royal Navy and served as an E.R.A. from 1905 to 1913, at which time he transferred to the newly formed Royal Naval Air Service. He served in France from 21 August 1914 until 1918 when he transferred to the Royal Air Force. He was promoted a Warrant Officer, 2nd Grade, in the R.N.A.S. on 18 January 1917, and posted to No. 1 Wing R.N.A.S., being borne on the books of H.M.S. President. He was granted a commission in the Royal Air Force as a Second Lieutenant on 1 April 1918, and appointed a Technical Officer the same day. In 1919, when the ranks were changed in the R.A.F., Berry became a Pilot Officer, and on 30 August he was posted to No. 1 Flying Training School, Inland Area, No. 7 Group, at Netheravon, near Salisbury, where he was on the Instructional Staff. He was promoted Flying Officer on 21 September 1920, and continued to serve at Netheravon.

Berry was next posted, on 23 November 1923, to the Aircraft Depot at Karachi, India, ‘for engineering duties.’ He served here until 10 October 1928 when he returned to England and was posted to the R.A.F. Base at Gosport, Coastal Area, No. 10 Group. He was lastly posted, on 5 March 1929, to the Reception Depot, Inland Area, No. 21 Group, at West Drayton, Middlesex, and served here until he was placed on the Retired List on 18 January 1932. Flying Officer A. H. P. Berry, D.S.M., died on 12 March 1935.