Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Great War 1917 ‘French theatre’ D.S.M., 1918 ‘Mediterranean theatre’ R.A.F. M.S.M. pair awarded to Chief Mechanic A. E. Crispin, Royal Air Force, late Royal Naval Air Service

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (F.2519. A. E. Crispin, C.P.O. Mech. R.N.A.S. 1917.); Royal Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (3056 Ch. Mec. A. E. Crispin. D.S.M. R.A.F.) very fine (2) £800-£1,000

D.S.M. London Gazette, 1 May 1918.
M.S.M. London Gazette, 3 June 1919. (Mediterranean).

Only 3 R.A.F. M.S.M. and D.S.M. combinations awarded for the Great War.

Arthur Ernest Crispin was born in Mold, Flintshire in May 1886. A Chauffeur by trade, he joined the Royal Navy as a Petty Officer Mechanic in January 1915 and served with the Royal Naval Air Service in the French theatre of War from 1 August 1916 to 6 May 1917. Having advanced to Chief Petty Officer Mechanic, Crispin was posted to Crystal Palace in May 1917, and then to R.N.A.S. Felixstowe in January 1918. He transferred as a Chief Mechanic to the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, and was posted to the training camp at R.A.F. Spinola, Malta. Crispin continued to serve at Spinola until June 1918, and transferred to the R.A.F. Reserve in March 1919. He died in Westminster, London in June 1947.