Orders, Decorations and Medals

The unique D.S.O., D.F.C. group of eleven awarded to Squadron Leader G. C. Gardiner, Royal Air Force, a Great War ‘Ace’ with 6 Victories who commanded No. 55 (B) Squadron in the Northern Kurdistan campaign of 1932, having previously won the D.S.O. and Faisal’s Bravery Medal for gallantry in Iraq 1931

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R.; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R.; 1914 Star, with Mons bar, naming neatly erased; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. (Capt. G. C. Gardiner, R.A.F.); General Service 1918-62, 3 clasps, Iraq, Northern Kurdistan, Palestine (F/O. G. C. Gardiner, R.A.F.); Coronation 1937; France, Legion of Honour, 5th class breast badge in silver and enamels, enamels chipped as usual; Croix de guerre 1914-1916, with bronze palm; Iraq, Faisal’s Bravery Medal, the reverse inscribed in arabic script (Commander of a Squadron G. C. Gardiner); Active Service Medal, clasp, Southern Kurdistan 1930-31, generally very fine or better and extremely rare (11)

D.S.O. London Gazette 23 June 1931. ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Iraq.’ This is the only D.S.O. awarded in 1931 and one of only 162 awards made between the wars. The following citation is taken from the official recommendation approved by His Majesty the King on 17 June, 1931:

‘For conspicuous zeal and gallantry throughout the operations against rebel forces in Iraq in March and April, 1931. This officer was particularly successful in locating hostile forces which had taken cover in villages in wadis and on hillsides. This involved the undertaking of long flights over extremely broken ground in the course of which, flying at a low altitude, his machine was difficult to control owing to wind eddies and was also constantly exposed to close range fire not only from below but from above.

In particular, on three occasions he discovered the main body of the rebels, signalled for air reinforcements, warned approaching Iraqi troops and initiated decisive air attacks. On the last occasion (at Awa Barika on April 5th) single-handed, under very heavy fire, he compelled the enemy by bombs and machine gun fire to remain under cover during the approach of the Iraqi column. His aeroplane sustained some 50 hits, the petrol tank and carburettor being perforated. Although nearly overcome by the petrol fumes he brought the aircraft safely to earth on the nearest suitable ground. Obtaining another machine within two hours of his forced landing, he returned to the attack, being again subjected to heavy rifle fire. His aeroplane was on a further occasion riddled by rifle fire and the petrol tank pierced while he was leading an attack.

It is reported by the Officer Commanding, Iraq Army Column and the Police that Squadron Leader Gardiner by his fearless attack on the rebels did much to help the troops and by covering them when charging over open ground was responsible for saving many lives.’

D.F.C. London Gazette 3 June 1918. One of the first batch of awards of the D.F.C. General citation but believed to be for good work with No’s 17 and 150 Squadrons in Salonika.

Faisal’s Bravery Medal Iraq Government Gazette 25 December 1932. Little information is known about this rare bravery award although several are Gazetted during this period. This appears to be the only example so far known in a group to a British recipient.

George Cecil Gardiner enlisted in the ranks16th Lancers in 1912 and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. After service as an observer with 14 Squadron in Palestine, Gardiner flew in Salonika with 47 Squadron. His first victory was gained over an Albatros two-seater, claimed by himself and another pilot whilst flying BE 12s. His next combat occurred while he was flying a DH 2 when he was attacked by an Albatros DIII and fired three shots at his oponent whereupon his Lewis gun jammed. He broke off combat and returned to base, not making any claim. However, infantrymen had seen the fight and reported watching the Albatros fall to earth and crash as a result of his brief fire; this victory was therefore credited to him. He was posted as a Flight Commander to 17 Squadron and then in April 1918, the scouts of 17 and 47 Squadrons were amalgamated into the new 150 Squadron. With this unit he flew Camels, claiming five further victories during the summer months and being awarded the D.F.C. In 1919 he returned to 17 Squadron.

Gardiner was promoted to Squadron Leader on 14 May 1930, and took over command of No. 55 (B) Squadron at Hinaidi on 2 January 1931. He participated in the operations against Sheikh Mahmud in Southern Kurdistan in 1930 and 1931, winning the D.S.O. and Faisal’s Bravery Medal in addition to the Active Service Medal. This latter medal was awarded by the Government of Iraq for operations for which no British medal was given. Gardiner next took part in the operations against Sheikh Ahmed of Barzan in Northern Kurdistan during 1931 and 1932, being in command of 55 Squadron with the Striking Force at the Advanced Air Base at Ebril. For these operations he received the Northern Kurdistan clasp to his British General Service Medal, one of sixty-six officers and 279 airmen to receive it. He subsequently served during the operations in Palestine prior to the outbreak of the Second World War but died in July 1940 at the early age of 48.

It should be noted that it has not been possible to locate a Medal Index Card for Gardiner’s Great War Medals. There is no evidence to hand that indicates entitlement to the 1914 Star and it seems likely that this has been added by the recipient in the belief that he was entitled to it.