Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Sergeant Major W. J. Bayton, Royal Flying Corps

British War Medal 1914-20 (45848 [sic] F-Sjt. W. J. Bayton. R.F.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (45849 Sjt: W. J. Bayton. R.F.C.) mounted on card for display, nearly extremely fine, rare (2) £300-£400

Approximately 30 Army L.S. & G.C. Medals awarded to the Royal Flying Corps.

William J. Bayton was born in 1866, and initially served with the Army before re-enlisting aged 47 in the 9th Reserve Cavalry Regiment, 3 October 1914. He transferred as Sergeant (No. 45849) to the Royal Flying Corps, 25 July 1916, and was awarded the BWM as a consequence of ‘draft conducting to France October 1916’ (this medal being belatedly issued to OC Records, Ruislip in October 1937).

Bayton advanced to Flight Sergeant in February 1917, and to Sergeant Major in September of the same year (awarded L.S. & G.C. with gratuity in October 1917). He was employed as a ‘Disciplinarian’. Bayton transferred to ‘G’ Reserve in June 1919, at which time he was serving in Ireland. Bayton gave his address on discharge as Dublin, albeit he was working as a publican in Norwich at the time of his enlistment in 1914.