Orders, Decorations and Medals

1914-15 Star (F.761 M. H. L. Metcalf, P.O.M., R.N.A.S. ) good very fine £120-160

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Royal Naval Air Service and Armoured Car Squadrons.

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Maurice Holmes Leigh Metcalf was born in Montreal, Canada. Living in Walthamstow and an engineer by occupation, he entered the R.N.A.S. as a Petty Officer Mechanic on 27 October 1914, having previously served in King Edward’s Horse for three years. After service in France, he embarked for Russia on 1 December 1915 and served in armoured cars. His record of service states:

‘Nov. 1916 On detached service in Persia. Novr.-Decr. On detached service Dobrudsha. Topolul. Decr. On detached service in Roumania. Braila. .... 18 May 1917. On detached duty in Roumania. Galatza.... 22 May. On detached duty to Odessa, forward to Petrograd. ... 22nd June Left Tiraspol Base for service in Galicia. Kozova. 3rd August. Left Proskurov Base for Berdeechev Base. 9th Septr. Returned to Proskurov Base. ? Septr. Left Proskurov Base for Brovary Base. Septr. Left Brovary for Kursk Base. ? Oct. Left Kursk for England on leave. ? Octbr. Awarded Silver Breast Medal with St. Stanislaus ribbon for Hard Work. 12.11.17 Arrived in England. 11.8.18 Discharged to take up Commission’.

On 28 October 1918 Metcalf became a Temporary Lieutenant in the R.N.V.R. He served on the monitor M.25 as part of the Archangel River Expedition where he was employed on interpreting duties. He was demobilised on 1 January 1920. Sold with copied service papers.