A good Great War M.C. group of three awarded to Lieutenant (Pilot) B. L. Lindley, No. 25 Squadron, Royal Air Force, killed in action on 29 June 1918

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut., R.A.F.); together with a scarce set of bullion R.F.C. wings; and a set of cloth R.A.F. wings, first medal nearly extremely fine, Great War pair polished and with edge bruising, therefore good fine (5) £700-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars.

View
Collection

M.C. London Gazette 16 September 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during recent operations. He carried out several very successful long distance reconnaissances and bomb raids under adverse weather conditions, and during low bombing and machine-gun actions he did most brilliant work. Throughout he showed great gallantry and skill.’

Bryant Lutellus Lindley was born in 1899 at Claremont, Cape Province, South Africa. During the latter stages of the Great War, he served with 25 Squadron, R.A.F. On 27 March 1918 whilst on a bombing operation in a DH4, his aircraft was hit by a shell in the undercarriage axle, forcing him to crash land south of Bray. He was subsequently killed in action whilst on a photographic reconnaissance mission, on 29 June 1918, over Bruges, flying a DH4. He is buried at Larch Wood (Railway Cutting) Cemetery, Belgium. His Observer, 2nd Lieutenant D. Boe surived, and was taken prisoner of war.