Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War A.F.C. group of eight awarded to Squadron Leader H. M. Ferreira, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, late Northumberland Fusiliers and London Regiment, who was wounded as an Infantry Officer during the Great War on the Western Front, 10 April 1916, and subsequently had three confirmed victories in the skies as a Nieuport Pilot with No. 29 Squadron, July to September 1917

Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1942; 1914 Star, with copy clasp (2196 Pte. H. M. Ferreira. 14/Lond: R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. H. M. Ferriera [sic]. R.F.C.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated ‘1914-1917’, with silver star emblem on riband, generally good very fine (8) £2,000-£2,400

A.F.C. London Gazette 1 September 1942.

French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 18 April 1918.

Henry Martin Ferreira was born on 21 September 1891 and following the outbreak of the Great War attested for the 14th (London Scottish) Battalion, London Regiment. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 September 1914, before being invalided out with trench foot in early 1915. He then applied for a commission, and was commissioned temporary Second Lieutenant in the 11th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, on 9 February 1915, being promoted to temporary Lieutenant on 23 October of that year. On 10 April 1916, whilst serving in “C” Company near Armientiers, he was wounded during a retaliation bombardment by the enemy, and was again invalided out. Recovering from his wounds, he then applied to join the Royal Flying Corps.

Ferreira was accepted for pilot training in October 1916, and graduated on 27 February 1917. He completed his training in April 1917, and joined No. 29 Squadron in France on 28 April of that year. He saw considerable action with them flying Nieuports, accounting for at least three enemy aircraft himself, as the following recommendation from his Officer Commanding, dated 14 October 1917, states:

‘I beg to bring forward Captain H. M. Ferreira for conspicuous gallantry and consistent good work.
This officer on 7 July 1917 attacked and brought down out of control 1 Albatross Scout out of two were were on the tail of one of our machines.
On 13 July 1917, whilst escorting Sopwith 2-seaters, the patrol was attacked by 12 enemy aircraft. Captain Ferreira attacked 1 enemy aircraft and brought it down completely out of control He then attacked 2 other enemy aircraft and drove them off.
On 22 July 1917 he attacked an enemy balloon and drove it down.
On 26 September 1917 whilst on patrol he attacked and brought 1 enemy aircraft down completely out of control.
Thos officer on 31 July 1917, 20 September 1917, and 29 September 1917 attacked and scattered large numbers of enemy troops from very low altitudes.
Throughout the six months this officer has been with the Squadron he has shown consistent gallantry in attacking enemy formations, and has had many indecisive combats. Captain Ferreira has always shown great skill, determination, and foresight as a Flight Commander in leading patrols, and has always done his work in a very satisfactorily and commendable manner.
I submit that this record shows this officer as deserving of any decoration for which you may see fit to recommend him for.’

For his bravery and leadership the British gave Ferreira nothing; however, the French saw fit to decorate him with the immediate award of the Croix de Guerre, which was presented to him in the field by a visiting British General. He left No. 29 Squadron in October 1917, and subsequently joined No. 4 Training Depot Station at Hooton on the Home Establishment as an instructor in aerial fighting, and stayed there until the end of the War.

During the lead-up to the Second World War Ferreira once more applied to join the Royal Air Force, and was commissioned Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force Reserve on 14 May 1939. He served during the Second World War as a Flying Instructor, was promoted temporary Squadron Leader on 3 September 1941, and was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1942. He subsequently served on the staff at No. 51 Group H.Q., before he relinquished his commission on 10 February 1954, retaining the rank of Squadron Leader.

Sold with a scrapbook of copied research, including full copy of the recipient’s Great War Pilot’s Flying Log Book, covering the period 2 November 1916 - 6 May 1919; Combats in the Air reports; and Recommendations; and a group photograph featuring the recipient.