Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Great War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant A. J. Horne, South African Aviation Corps, late 1st Rhodesia Regiment, who was decorated for his services in 26 Squadron in East Africa in 1916, and accidentally killed in a training exercise in Tanzania, 28 November 1916

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (Z.179 Sgt. A. J. Horne. S. A. Aviatn C.); 1914-15 Star (Pte A. J. Horne. 1 Rhodn Rgt.); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Sjt. A. J. Horne. S. A. Aviatn C.) generally very fine or better (4) £1,600-£2,000

D.C.M. London Gazette 30 January 1917; citation published 3 March 1917:
‘For conspicuous devotion to duty. He has performed consistent good work and has at all times set a fine example.’

Albert James Horne appears to have enlisted in the South African Aviation Corps in August 1915, direct from his services in the disbanded 1st Rhodesia Regiment. The latter unit had fought in the German South-West Africa campaign, including the battle of Trekkopjes in April 1915.

Subsequently drafted to 26 Squadron - which was formed at Netheravon from South African Aviation Corps personnel in October 1915 - Horne would have witnessed further action in East Africa, following the unit’s arrival at Mombasa in January 1916. He was subsequently accidentally killed in a Lewis gun exercise at Morogoro in Eastern Province, Tanzania, on 28 November 1916. The son of James Peter Horne of Poste Restante, Gwelo, Rhodesia, he was buried in the local cemetery.