Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ D.F.C. group of three awarded to B.E.2 Pilot Captain G. J. Scaramanga, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who served with both 12 and 6 Squadrons during the Great War, as both an Observer and a Pilot- on one contact patrol his machine was ‘badly shot about having 44 bullet holes’

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. G. J. Scaramanga. R.A.F.) mounted court-style as worn and housed with a R.F.C. cap badge and cloth wings in a glazed display framed, good very fine or better (3) £2,600-£3,000

D.F.C. London Gazette 2 November 1918:
‘During recent operations this officer has rendered most brilliant service on numerous contact patrols, and the information he has brought in has materially contributed to the success of our operations.
On 23 August the situation in a certain area was very obscure; this officer carried out a patrol lasting two-and-a-half hours, and, flying at a very low altitude he drew the enemy’s fire and so located their troops. Proceeding up and down the line he was enabled to render a very valuable and accurate report of the situation. His machine was badly shot about having 44 bullet holes.
Later in the day, on another contact patrol, which lasted two hours, he saw two enemy howitzers drawn by eight horses, in retreat; diving to 50 feet he fired 200 rounds, killing six horses and 16 men; the rear howitzer was left behind in a ditch.
On another occasion when on contact patrol, lasting two-and-a-half hours he was attacked by three formations of four, six, and seven hostile aircraft respectively at different times; all these he drove off and completed his patrol.’

George John Scaramanga was born at Redhill, Surrey, on 17 May 1897, and was educated at Lexden House, Seaford, Sussex. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 4th (Reserve) Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment (Special Reserve) on 15 November 1915, and was immediately seconded to the Royal Flying Corps. He joined the Royal Flying Corps at Reading on 20 December 1915 for preliminary instruction in aviation, and was appointed Flying Officer on 15 November 1916. He served during the Great War on the Western Front for seven months as an Observer, and then for ten months as a Pilot, flying B.E.2s, first with 12 Squadron, before, having been promoted temporary Captain on 25 February 1918, being posted to 6 Squadron on 30 June 1918. For his services during the Great War he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Following the cessation of hostilities Scaramanga transferred to the unemployed list on 10 April 1919, and relinquished his commission on 1 April 1920. He subsequently served with 905 (County of Surrey) Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force, and relinquished his commission with the rank of Flying Officer on 21 March 1939.

Sold with a large quantity of copied research, including various Bomb Dropping and Reconnaissance reports.