Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine campaign group of five awarded to Chief Mechanic O. R. Rowe, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, a veteran of the Great War and the North West Frontier - who received a unique I.G.S. clasp combination to an Other Rank

1914 Star, with copy clasp (230 2/A.M. O. R. Rowe. R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (230 F. Sgt. O. R. Rowe. R.F.C.); India General Service 1908-35, 3 clasps, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24 (230 F-Sgt. O. R. Rowe, R.A.F. In India); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (230 F/Sgt. O. R. Rowe. R.A.F.) mounted for display, generally very fine (5) £600-£800

Oscar Reginald Rowe attested for the Royal Engineers in September 1910, and served as a Sapper with 17 Company, Royal Engineers. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in July 1912, and was posted to the Flying Depot. Rowe was a Carpenter Rigger, and was posted as 1 A.M. to the Aircraft Park, France, 16 August 1914 (M.I.C. gives as ineligible for 1914 clasp). He advanced to Flight Sergeant (Carpenter) in December 1916, and transferred to the Royal Air Force as Chief Mechanic (Mentioned in an Air Ministry Press Release of 29 August 1919, and also in the Times ‘B’ Press Release the same day).

Rowe served with 20 Squadron on the North West Frontier, and his medal group is illustrated in A Contemptible Little Flying Corps by I. McInnes and J. V. Webb, and which also gives:

‘The 3-bar IGS combination of bars occurs only three times in 4,561 medals issued to the R.A.F., two to officers and this one, unique to an Other Rank. (He is also shown on the Waziristan, 1925 roll but could not of course have this clasp and that for 1921-24).’

Rowe served with 41 Squadron at Northolt prior to transferring to the Reserve, after 24 years service, 23 September 1934. He died in Uxbridge in 1957.