The British War Medal 1914-20 awarded to Captain E. R. Tempest, [M.C., D.F.C.], 64 Squadron, Royal Air Force, late King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, a Great War ‘Western Front’ 17 ‘Victory’ flying Ace, who was killed in a flying accident in Baghdad, 16 December 1921

British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt. E. R. Tempest. R.A.F.) very fine £400-£500

M.C. London Gazette 13 May 1918:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He attacked a formation of seven enemy machines, firing on one from a distance of a few feet and destroying it. On another occasion with his patrol he engaged thirteen enemy machines. Though both his guns were out of action, he continued fighting for fifteen minutes in order to enable the rest of his patrol to keep up the fight. Having driven off the enemy, he brought his patrol back safely. He showed splendid courage and initiative.’

D.F.C. London Gazette 2 November 1918:

‘Since March last this officer has destroyed nine enemy machines. A daring and most capable officer, who never hesitates to engage the enemy. By brilliant leadership he achieves success with the minimum of loss.’

Recommended for a Belgian Croix de Guerre, 18 December 1917:

‘He fought in Flanders as Flying Officer in No. 6 Squadron from December 1915 to May 1916, and from May 1916 to August 1916 also in Flanders in No. 29 Squadron, doing valuable work in both these units shooting down 5 E.A. in all. He has been Flight Commander in this Squadron [64] during its tour of France, and has displayed great gallantry and skill during operations especially subsequent to November 20th on the Cambrai front, shooting down 1 E.A., on November 30th, and carrying out reconnaissance and low bombing work under all conditions of weather.

He has not previously received a foreign decoration.’

Edmund Roger Tempest was born in Pontefract, Yorkshire in October 1894, and educated at The Oratory School, Edgbaston. He was the third son of Mr and Mrs Wilfrid F. Tempest, J.P. of Ackworth Grange, Ackworth, Yorkshire. Edmund and his brother Wulstan were both farming in Saskatchewan, Canada, with the advent of the Great War. Both returned home and each was gazetted Second Lieutenant in the 6th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 30 November 1914. Edmund gained secondment to the Royal Flying Corps first, and received his Royal Aero Club Certificate (No. 1604) in August 1915 (Wulstan followed suit later, and went on to be awarded the D.S.O. for shooting down Zeppelin L.31 over Potters Bar in October 1916 and an M.C.).

Tempest carried out initial training as a pilot, gained his ‘Wings’, and advanced to Flying Officer in November 1915. The following year he was posted to France, and saw service with 6, 29 and 15 Squadrons. Tempest was posted to 64 Squadron (D.H.5’s), 1 July 1917, and gained his first ‘Victory’, 30 November 1917. The Squadron re-equipped with S.E.5a’s, and Tempest immediately found the new aircraft to his liking - adding 16 further enemy aircraft, the vast majority of which were scout planes, to his tally between 8 March - 14 August 1918. In that total, he shot down 2 enemy aircraft in one day on two occasions - 17 March and 11 August - and shot down 5 enemy aircraft in four days in August. His leadership and fearless, aggressive flying were recognised with the award of the M.C. and D.F.C., and example of which can be seen in the following combat report, 21 March 1918:

‘Capt. Tempest. While leading patrol, flying S.W. at 15,000 feet, observed 2 Fokker triplanes flying N.E. at about 1,000 feet below. Dived on one machine firing from Lewis Gun only, Vickers having jambed previously. Lewis Gun fell down after 25 rounds, so ‘broke off’ to adjust. Gained height and again dived at E.A. firing about 30 rounds, when E.A. went down in a spin...’

Tempest returned to the UK at the end of August 1918, and remained in the Royal Air Force after the war. He advanced to Flight Lieutenant, and was serving with 216 Squadron in Mesopotamia when he died in a flying accident whilst flying his Airco DH.10 Amiens, 16 December 1921, ‘Tempest died on Saturday last at Baghdad from burns received while testing a new flying machine.’

Sold with extensive copied research, including combat reports and a photographic image of recipient.