Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Great War D.S.M. awarded to Air Mechanic 1st Grade A. A. Smith, Royal Naval Air Service, who completed 200 hours of operational flying out of Bembridge Air Station

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (225269 A. A. Smith, A.M. 1 Gr., R.N.A.S., 1917), edge bruising, otherwise very fine
£800-1000

D.S.M. London Gazette 1 May 1918:

‘For zeal and devotion to duty during the period 1 July - 31 December 1917.’

The original recommendation states:

‘This rating has been at the submarine air station at Bembridge since it was opened in May 1915. He has flown 200 hours on patrol and has always been exceptionally keen and zealous at his work and materially helped to maintain the station at a high state of efficiency.’

Alfred Albert Smith was born in Southwark, London, in January 1887, and enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in January 1905. Advanced to Able Seaman in May 1907, he transferred to the Royal Naval Air Service as an Air Mechanic 1st Grade in July 1914 and, as noted above, was posted to the submarine air station at Bembridge in May 1915. Awarded the D.S.M. for many hours of operational flying in 1917, he transferred to the newly formed Royal Air Force in April 1918; sold with copied R.N. service record.