Orders, Decorations and Medals

A good Squadron Commander’s D.S.O., M.C. group of seven awarded to Major L. W. Learmount, Commanding No. 22 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, late Malay Straits Volunteer Rifles
Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R.; Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (2.Lieut., R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Major, R.F.C.); Colonial Auxiliary Forces L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (Pte. Leonard W Learmount, D.S.O., M.C., M.S.V.R.); French Croix de Guerre 1914-1917, with bronze palm, the group mounted for wear, good very fine (7)

D.S.O. London Gazette 18 July, 1917, “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has shown great skill and determination when on photographic reconnaissances. Despite continuous fire from the ground and attack from hostile aircraft, he has repeatedly effected a safe landing after completing his task.” This award was for gallantry over the Hindenburg Line and the original recommendation, dated 21 May, 1917, not only gives further detail but also demonstrates the power of the censor’s pen:
“On 10/5/1917 when he had just completed the oblique photographs of the Hindenburg Line opposite the Fourth Army front (having made six flights for this purpose during a period of seven weeks and being exposed each time to severe machine gun fire from the ground) he was hit by a machine gun or rifle bullet and, although he was faint and sick, he succeeded in bringing his machine, observer and exposed photographic plates safely back to his aerodrome. On nearly all the other occasions on which this officer took oblique photographs his machine was literally shot to pieces and his escape from injury really miraculous.
This officer as a Squadron Commander sets a splendid example to his Squadron, leading them on patrols, bomb raids and reconnaissances and instilling in them that fearlessness with which he himself is imbued.”
M.C. London Gazette 3 June, 1916.
M.I.D. London Gazette 11 December, 1917.
Croix de Guerre London Gazette 14 July, 1917.
Leonard Wright Learmount was commissioned Second Lieutenant (on probation) in the Royal Flying Corps, Special Reserve, 2 April, 1915. He joined No. 7 Squadron in France and was engaged in reconnaisance, photography, artillery co-operation and bombing. He was flying on the same day, 31 July, 1915, that Captain U. A. Liddell of the same squadron won the Victoria Cross for bringing back his badly damaged R.E.5 despite serious wounds of which he later died. Learmount was awarded the Military Cross in June 1916, probably for his work with No. 7 Squadron and, in February 1917, assumed command of No. 22 Squadron. Equipped with F.E.2Bs. and later Bristol Fighters, he led his squadron, very much from the front, during the battles of the Hindenburg Line, Arras, Messines, Ypres and Cambrai. He was twice wounded in the air, firstly as described above and, secondly on 9 March, 1918, when he attempted to drive off a German machine which was spotting for the artillery all too successfully. Learmount, however, was severely wounded in the attempt and landed back faint from the loss of blood. The squadron never saw their brave and steadfast commander again for, after recovery, he was sent back to England on promotion.