Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1916 ‘Western Front’ M.C. awarded to FE2b Observer, Second Lieutenant R. V. Walker, Royal Flying Corps, late 6th Battalion, Connaught Rangers, who, with Second Lieutenant Lord Doune as his pilot, shot down and killed Baron Von Saal Saalfield, the son of the Prince of Saxony, 29 April 1916. Walker was wounded in action, 4 June 1916, and injured whilst on instructional duties the following year

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse contemporarily engraved ‘Robert Verschoy Le [sic] Walker 2nd Lt. R.F.C. For Conspicuous Gallantry & Devotion To Duty April 1916’, in Royal Mint case of issue, with wooden walking stick, the latter with silver band which is engraved ‘Fokker Shot Down in France By Lieut. R. V. Walker M.C. 29th April 1916; together with Victory Medal 1914-19 (24772 Pte. R. G. McClelland. Sco. Rif.) and Scottish Rifles cap badge, generally very fine (lot) £1,000-£1,400

M.C. London Gazette 31 May 1916:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and skill. When on patrol duty with Second Lieut., Lord Doune, he sighted a Fokker machine 1,000 feet below them. Second Lieut. Lord Doune at once dived, and when within 60 yards, Second Lieut. Walker opened fire. Lord Doune then headed straight for the Fokker, which had to rise steeply to avoid a collision. Second Lieuts. Walker and Lord Doune then both opened fire and shot away one wing of the Fokker, which fell behind our lines.’

Robert Verschoyle Walker was born in December 1893, and was a ‘young Ulster officer in the Royal Flying Corps.... in bringing down a German Fokker, with the aid of Sec.-Lieut. Lord Doune, the eldest son of the Earl of Moray, is described in last evening’s Gazette. Both officers have been awarded the Military Cross....

Sec.-Lieut. Walker, who has received this distinction, is the second son of Mr Henry Walker, of Mayo, Cootehill, and Strand Road, Londonderry (formerly of Falcarragh). When the war broke out he was mathematical master at “Normandale”. Bexhill-on-Sea. He enlisted early in 1915, and in November of that year received a commission in the 6th Batt. Connaught Rangers, from which he shortly afterwards transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Lord Doune, his companion in his gallant mid-air feat, is 24 years of age, and a student of Cambridge University.’ (Belfast Evening Telegraph May 1916 refers)

The Fokker concerned was piloted by Baron Von Saal Saalfield, the son of the Prince of Saxony, and he was killed during the action. Walker was posted for operational service as an Observer to 25 Squadron (FE2b’s) in France in March 1916. The above combat took place over Hulluch, however, the pairing were not so lucky on 4 June 1916. On the latter date Walker’s aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, and forced down at Essars. Lord Doune escaped unscathed, but Walker suffered wounds to his face.

Having recuperated from his wounds, Walker was gazetted Flying Officer (Observer), 12 June 1916, and was posted for instructional duties. He was injured serving in that capacity at 42 TS in the UK, 31 October 1917. He was discharged in April 1919.

Walker and McClelland were related by marriage.

Sold with the following related documentation: 2 telegrams related to the investiture of Wallace’s M.C.; a typed extract about the recipient’s gallantry award as appeared in the Belfast Evening Telegraph in May 1916; and demobilisation paperwork and certificates relating to McClelland.