Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare D.C.M., M.S.M. group of five awarded to Flight Sergeant Mechanic F. J. Hellyer, 17 Squadron Royal Flying Corps, who won both awards and a mention in despatches for services with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (718 Fl. Sjt: F. J. Hellyer. No: 17 Sq: R.F.C.); 1914 Star (718 2/A.M. F. J. Hellyer, R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (718 Sgt. F. J. Hellyer, R.F.C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (718 Fl: Sjt: F. J. Hellyer. No: 17 Sq: R.F.C.) mounted for display, good very fine (5) £2500-3000

One of only 92 Distinguished Conduct Medals and one of only 134 Meritorious Service Medals awarded to the Royal Flying Corps.

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 June 1916: ‘For conspicuous good work. He worked night and day to keep the aeroplanes in working order. The skill he displayed and the example he set enabled this detachment to carry out its duties with success.’

M.S.M. London Gazette 9 November 1916: ‘For valuable services with the Armies in the Field (Salonika)’. The recommendation states, ‘For exceptionally good work at El Hammam 1916. He worked night and day to keep the aeroplanes at El Hammam in working order. The skill he displayed and the example he set enabled this detachment to carry out its duties with success.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 25 September 1916.

Frederick J. Hellyer was recruited directly into the Royal Flying Corps on 29 May 1913. He served as a 2 A.M. with No. 4 Squadron in France from 12 August 1914, and in 1915 transferred to No. 17 Squadron serving with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. As Flight Sergeant with 17 Squadron he won the D.C.M., M.S.M. and a mention in despatches, all for services with the E.E.F. in Salonika. He reverted to Sergeant (1st Class Pilot) on 29 April 1917, and was Sergeant Mechanic (Pilot) in the April 1918 R.A.F. muster roll.