Royal Air Force First Interwar India North West Frontier Dis...

Estimate

£3,000 - £3,500

Royal Air Force First Interwar India North West Frontier Distinguished Flying Medal. A rare and important George V RAF DFM awarded to 247939 LAC W.J. KELLY RAF.
LAC William John Kelly a native of Meath in Ireland enlisted into the RNAS in January 1918 number F47939, his trade being given as motor mechanic. At the creation of the RAF in April 1918 he transferred and was at that time serving at Eastbourne. He transferred to 97 Squadron and then onto 60 Squadron in May 1919, embarking with the Squadron for India. He would remain with 60 Squadron until January 1921 when he returned to the UK for discharge which took place on the 27th July 1921. He was MID London Gazette 8th December 1920 and the announcement of the award of the DFM on the 20th May 1921. At this time 60 Squadron was operating the DH10 twin engined bomber. and was engaged on bombing operations on the frontier. In 1921 only one DFM was awarded, this being Kelly's for operations in Waziristan. This marked the first peacetime DFM award for the North West Frontier, which would continue to require the RAF to police through to the beginning of the Second World War. Kelly's service papers do not indicate WW1 medal issue.