Orders, Decorations and Medals

British War Medal 1914-20 (2) (F.769 W. Coulson, P.O.M., R.N.A.S.; F.1965 H. A. Fildes, C.P.O.M. 3, R.N.A.S.) good very fine (2) £100-140

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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William Coulson was born in Islington, London, on 28 November 1882. A Salesman by occupation, he entered the Royal Naval Air Service as a Petty Officer Mechanic on 27 October 1914. Serving with the Armoured Car Division, he embarked for Russia on 1 December 1915. His official record of service states:

‘5-18 March 1916 Worked under the Russians at Kandalaksha. 20 April. Awarded Silver “St. Stanislaus” medal inscribed for “meritorious service” vide Admiralty letter N.41368. Aug.-Nov. On detached service in Persia. Nov.-Dec. On detached service in Dobrudsha. Topolul. Decr. On detached service in Roumania. Galatz base. / May 1917. Transferred to Squadron 2. ? June. Left Tiraspol Base for service in Galicia. Telyache. 24th August. Left Proskurov Base for special duty in Roumania. 15th Septr. Returned to Proskurov. 15th Septr. Left Proskurov Base for Brovary Base. 21st Septbr. Left Brovary Base for England on leave. 29.10.17 Arrived in England. 11.3.18 Discharged’. Entitled to 1914-15 Star. Sold with copied service papers.

Herbert Armitage Fildes, from Coola Bah, Mossman, Sydney, Australia, joined the R.N.A.S. in November 1914. He served in France and Belgium with No.11 Squadron. Serving with the Armoured Car Division, he embarked for Russia on 1 December 1915. His official record of service states:

‘Aug.-Sept. On detached service Kars base. Novr.-Decr. On detached service in Dobrudsha. Hirsova base. Decr. On detached service in Roumania. Galatz base. Awarded Silver Breast Medal with St. Stanislaus ribbon for hard work. 16th July 1917 Left Tiraspol Base for service in Galicia. Proskurov. 13th Septr. Left Proskurov Base for Brovary. Left Brovary for Australia on leave’. Sold with copy record of service.