Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce ‘North West Frontier’ B.E.M. group of eight awarded to Sergeant, later Squadron Leader, B. Lock, Royal Air Force

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (363161 Sergt. Bertie Lock, R.A.F.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39, with unofficial top retaining bar (363161 F.Sgt. B. Lock. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Flt. Lt. B. Lock. R.A.F.); Coronation 1953; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (W/O B. Lock. R.A.F.) good very fine and better (8) £600-£800

B.E.M. London Gazette 25 October 1940:
‘in recognition of gallant and distinguished service with the Royal Air Force during the operations in Waziristan for the period 1 January to 31 December 1939.’

Bertie Lock was born on 10 April 1917 and enlisted into the Royal Air Force as a Boy Entrant on 19 September 1922. Training as a Carpenter Rigger from October 1923 and transferring to 24 Squadron in September 1925, he rose through the ranks until training as a pilot in June 1931. On completion of training on 5 March 1932, he was remustered as an Acting Sergeant Pilot and posted to 57 Squadron. Confirmed to that rank the following August and to Flight Sergeant in July 1937, he joining 28 Squadron in India in November 1938. Sent on attachment to Peshawar in September 1939, he was promoted Acting Warrant Officer on 18 February 1940 and sent to 1 F.T.S. in December that year. The next three years were spent with the Home Establishment and at various training schools before he was granted an emergency Commission as a Flying Officer (Technical) on 22 April 1943. Immediately sent to Headquarters, Flying Training Command, he spent the rest of the War at various flight training posts.

On 1 July 1946 Lock was granted a permanent Commission as Flight Lieutenant, serving in the Middle East from April 1947. In January 1950, he was appointed to 57 Squadron, taking part in the Malaya operations. In January 1951, he was stationed at Waddington and from the following January, was serving with Headquarters Bomber Command. Promoted Acting Squadron Leader in July 1952, and Squadron Leader in January 1953, he finally retired on 10 April 1957.

Sold with shoulder rank insignia and a black arm band; a large portrait photograph of Lock wearing his miniature medals; a selection of large R.A.F. photographs from Malaya, India an UK; several original documents; and a large amount of copied research, including copies from his log books 1936-1939 and 1943-1950, letters &c.

For the recipient’s related miniature awards, see Lot 700.

Another single B.E.M. to this recipient is known to exist.