Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A unique Third Afghan War Observer’s M.C. group of four awarded to Wing Commander J. E. Truss, Royal Air Force

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut. J. E. Truss, R.A.F.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Lieut. T. E. Truss, R.A.F.), note first initial, mounted court-style as worn on tatty original wearing bar, somewhat polished, nearly very fine or better (4) £2500-3000

The only M.C. to the R.A.F. for the Third Afghan War and one of only nine inter-war awards of a similar nature.

M.C. London Gazette 19 September 1920: ‘For bravery against the enemy in the Field between Lorali and Quetta on 27 July 1919.’

Josiah Edward Truss, who was born in Madras, India in April 1891, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force in October 1918 and quickly saw active service as an Observer Officer in B.E. 2s of No. 114 Squadron in the Third Afghan War, winning the M.C. for the an act of bravery between the above named places on 27 July 1919, and gaining advancement to Flying Officer that December. Transferring to the Equipment Branch between the Wars, he was advanced to Flight Lieutenant in July 1929 and to Squadron Leader in December 1936, in which latter rank he was serving on attachment to Coastal Command on the renewal of hostilities in September 1939. He later served out in India and was placed on the Retired List as a Wing Commander in 1946; sold with an original portrait photograph and printed message of thanks from Auchlineck, dated at New Delhi on 1 January 1946