Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Great War Romanian Medal for Bravery and Loyalty 2nd Class group of eight awarded to Flight Lieutenant W. M. Brims, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, late Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

1914-15 Star (10477 Sjt. W. M. Brims, A.&S. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (115891 Sgt. W. M. Brims. R.A.F.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Kurdistan (115891. Sgt. (A./F/Sgt.) W. M. Brims. R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (115891. F/Sgt W. M. Brims. R.A.F.); Romania, Kingdom, Medal for Bravery and Loyalty, 2nd Class, with crossed swords, silver, mounted as worn and affixed to card for display, generally very fine (8) £700-£900

Romania, Medal for Bravery and Loyalty, 2nd Class London Gazette 15 July 1919.

Approximately 51 Romanian Medals for Bravery and Loyalty awarded to British forces for the Great War, of which only nine were awarded to the Royal Air Force - two of which were 2nd Class awards.

William Mitchell Brims was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in May 1889. He attested for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in May 1907, with whom he advanced to Acting Quartermaster Sergeant. Brims served with the 1st Battalion in India from 11 August 1914 until 31 January 1915, before serving with the Battalion in the French theatre of War from 17 February 1915. He continued to serve in France until 9 May 1915, and then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in December 1917. Brims returned to serve France from 20 October 1917 to 5 February 1919. On his transfer to the Royal Air Force he mustered in the trade of Disciplinarian.

Brims served with 55 Squadron in Iraq between 2 November 1921 and 13 October 1923, and was then posted to Egypt where he served with 208 Squadron. He returned to the UK in January 1925, and was posted to Cranwell before serving with 29 Squadron at Duxford and North Weald (awarded L.S. & G.C. in July 1925).

Brims was discharged on 2 May 1931, having completed 24 years’ regular service for pension. He transferred to the Reserve, only to be mobilised as Temporary Warrant Officer in August 1939. Brims was posted to R.A.F. Dyce, and then commissioned Flying Officer (on probation) in the ASD Branch in June 1941. He advanced to Flight Lieutenant in June 1942, and retired in October 1945. His son Alexander served with the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War, and was shot down and taken Prisoner of War. Brims died in Sidcup, Kent, in March 1967.

Sold with photographic image of recipient in uniform, and copied research.