Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Great War D.F.M. group of four awarded to Chief Mechanic S. H. Crook, Royal Air Force, late Royal Naval Air Service, who fought ‘many engagements with hostile seaplanes’ and ‘always behaved with courage and coolness’

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.V.R. (202067 Sergt. Mech: Crook. S. H. R.A.F.); 1914-15 Star (F.2057. S. H. Crook. P.O. M., R.N.A.S.); British War and Victory Medals (F. 2067 S. H. Crook. L.M. R.N.A.S.) mounted for display, last officially renamed, generally good very fine (4) £1,400-£1,800

Just 104 awards of the D.F.M. were made in the Great War, two of them with Second Awards Bars, in addition to four honorary awards.

D.F.M. London Gazette 21 September 1918:
‘Has carried out a great deal of useful work as engineer on seaplane long-distance patrols. Has been in many engagements with hostile seaplanes and has always behaved with courage and coolness.’

Sidney Hinton Crook was born in Eastbourne, Sussex on 15 February 1895 and was employed as a motor mechanic at the time of his joining the Royal Naval Air Service in November 1914. Quickly appointed a Petty Officer (E.), he served in armoured cars in the period leading up to March 1916, his service record confirming his part in just such land operations.

His subsequent appointments included a protracted tour of duty on the books of President II at Great Yarmouth, and he was likewise employed on being re-mustered as a Corporal in the newly formed R.A.F. in April 1918; his service record also reveals that he was ‘entitled to continuous flying pay’.

Crook was advanced to Sergeant Mechanic in June 1918, Chief Mechanic in November 1918 and was posted to the seaplane base at Killingholme, Lincolnshire in July 1919.