A Collection of Medals to the Royal Naval Air Service and Armoured Car Squadrons

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. pair awarded to Second Lieutenant G. T. Crook, Royal Field Artillery, late Royal Naval Air Service, who served in Gallipoli with the Royal Naval Armoured Car Division

Military Cross, G.V.R., rev. inscribed, ‘G. T. Crook, 2nd Lt. R.F.A., July 31st 1917’; 1914-15 Star (F.728 P.O.M., R.N.A.S.); together with an erased pair of British War and Victory Medals, mounted for wear, B.W.M. with contact marks, fine; others good very fine (4) £550-650

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Royal Naval Air Service and Armoured Car Squadrons.

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M.C. London Gazette 26 September 1917; citation London Gazette 9 January 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a hostile bombardment of his battery a gun-pit was struck by a shell, which flung the gun 20 yards away and buried a serjeant and a bombardier. He immediately set about digging them out, regardless of personal danger, and successfully accomplished this task. Later, while the hostile fire still continued, he took charge of six wagons of ammunition which had come up, and by his coolness and splendid personal example got them unloaded and away without loss’.

Gerald Turpin Crook was born in Streatham, London, on 16 July 1890 and educated at Dulwich College. A Military Outfitter by occupation and having previously served in the R.A.M.C. (T.F.), he entered the R.N.A.S. as a Petty Officer Mechanic on 28 October 1914, based firstly at Pembroke III, October 1914-March 1915, and then on President II, April 1915-January 1916. During this time he served with the R.N. Armoured Car Division and saw 14 weeks service in Gallipoli. On 1 February 1916 the R.N.A.C.D. was disbanded and Crook was discharged. He then entered the Royal Field Artillery and in August 1916 was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, entering the France/Flanders theatre of war on 26 September 1916. For his services in action with the R.F.A. he was awarded the Military Cross. He was advanced to Lieutenant in February 1918. In September 1918 he was posted for duty with the W.A.F.F. and service in Nigeria. On 26 June 1920 he was demobilised and relinquished his commission, retaining the rank of Lieutenant. Sold with a quantity of copied service papers.